Where did the names of the fingers in human hands?

From early childhood we remember the names of the fingers. Hearing that someone cut the index finger, broke a nail on a large or wearing a ring on average, our imagination immediately draws the hand and its need members with certain characteristics. Where did all these names and what they mean in reality?

The Fingers of the ancient Romans

Your name parts of the body had all peoples. In ancient times the knowledge of human anatomy was highly conditional. Therefore, the physiology was closely interwoven with mystical beliefs. In Ancient Rome, the names of the fingers was associated with the particularities of usage of each and imaginary connections with other systems and organs of the body. The index got its name because of the convenience of marking them directions. Yes, gesture "to point" for which we now criticize children, it's safe to considered a instinctive, as it is the outer toe of the four located near the best moves independently. The original name for the index – “index”. Average had two named “impudis” and “obscoenus”. These finger names in Latin can be literally translated into modern Russian as “dirty” or “unclean". To explain them in very simple – just average the ancient Romans used the toilet. But the ring finger, on the contrary, was considered the most pure, since the use of it in everyday life is limited. It was called “digitus" and used only in special cases, for example, pharmacists mixed them with their healing potions. The little finger was called for “auricularis” or “ear”, and indeed, they just prefer to clean the ears.

Origin of the modern names

In old Russia instead of the word “finger” used the designation “finger”. However, today it is obsolete. And here are the names of the fingers have become part of our speech and even used in the official medical terminology. Starting from the edge of the hand is: thumb, index, middle, ring, pinky. To explain precisely, where did these names of the fingers, is not straightforward. Average represent by its location relative to its neighbors, and the little finger – from old Russian «misiniz” - the smallest. And if index and ring all clear, the name “big” sounds a bit illogical. In fact, this finger is very short and thick. However, one should not forget that the word “great” in the Russian language is often used in a figurative sense – “home”. The name of the finger was for the fact that is the first and many of the functions able to perform independently.

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Interesting facts about the human hand

The Name of the fingers of the person can point to functions. In particular, a large – really the most agile and independent. Often injuries, hand, bandage, leaving the thumb outside of the bandage. And the resulting “claws”, the patient can perform some simple actions. In second place for usefulness and activity – index. This finger is most convenient not only gesture, but also to feel some items, to scrub the dirt and perform other similar actions. Nameless is rarely used alone, but it is indispensable for typing or playing some musical instruments. The names of the fingers is helpful to learn with the child as early as possible, teach the kids in a playful way, there are special finger games and interesting rhymes. Older children can tell the story of the origin of the name for each finger and to explain why historically used each of them.

Why wear a wedding ring on the ring finger?

Today, we can easily determine whether in marriage or that person, just look at his hands. Many people's fingers have names of functions, but unmarked, he's the least mobile, since ancient times used to wear wedding rings. In some languages it is even called the “ring”. This tradition originated in the ancient world, according to the Romans and the Egyptians, using the ring finger is "vein of love" - a large vessel that connects the limb to the heart. In Rome and Egypt, the ring was worn on the left hand. In modern Russia it is accepted to wear a symbol of marriage on your finger right limb, and in many European countries still follow their ancient traditions.