Re: fingers

Tim May wrote:
>
> David J. Peterson wrote:
> >
> > Can't speak for anything but English, but English *does* have
> > specific names.  Using the right hand, and proceeding from
> > left-to- right, starting from the thumb, with the palm facing
> > away, you have:
> >
> > 1.) thumb
> > 2.) index/pointer
> > 3.) middle
> > 4.) ring
> > 5.) pinky
> >
> > You can add the word "finger" after (2)-(5), but you don't need
> > to.
It's usual to add "finger" after 2-4, but not 5.


> I'd recognize "pinkie" as an Americanism* - the normal term in British
> English is "little finger".  "Index finger", "middle finger" and "ring
> finger" are equally valid on either side of the Atlantic, although I'd
> be unlikely to omit "finger" from them.  Not sure I've encountered
> "pointer" for the index finger, though the sense would be obvious.
"Little finger" is also commonly used in North America. I believe I
first heard "pinkie" in the 1970s when I was in college. The American
Heritage Dictionary says it's "probably from Dutch _pink_ = little finger."

--Ph. D.