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Little finger
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The little finger, often called the pinky in American English and pinkie in Scottish English (from the Dutch word pink, meaning little finger), is the most ulnar and usually smallest finger of the human hand, opposite the thumb, next to the ring finger.
e are four muscles that control the little finger, three of which comprise a group called the hypothenar eminence :
he USA a pinky swear or pinky promise is made when a person wraps one of their pinky fingers around the other person's pinky and makes a promise.
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Encyclopedia
The little finger, often called the pinky in American English and pinkie in Scottish English (from the Dutch word pink, meaning little finger), is the most ulnar and usually smallest finger of the human hand, opposite the thumb, next to the ring finger.
Muscles
There are four muscles that control the little finger, three of which comprise a group called the hypothenar eminence :
Cultural significance
Gestures
In the USA a pinky swear or pinky promise is made when a person wraps one of their pinky fingers around the other person's pinky and makes a promise. Traditionally, it's considered binding, and the idea was originally that the person who breaks the promise must cut off their pinky finger. In a similar vein, among members of the Japanese yakuza (gangsters), the penalty for various offenses is removal of parts of the little finger (known as yubitsume).
Also in Japan, holding up a little finger while speaking of two people signifies that they are in a relationship. This little finger substitution is considered vulgar and old-fashioned, however, in some anime scenes is intentionally used to enhance its silliness
In India, holding up the little finger is a signal that the person has to urinate.
Similarly, in Indonesia, when a man points his little finger downward it is a signal that he needs to urinate.
In Turkey and in Colombia, it's tradition to link little fingers when two people are making a bet.
In Judaism, it is customary to extend one's arm and little finger to the Torah as it is lifted following its reading in the Synagogue, although there is no source for this practice in Judaic literature.
In Israel, if one hands out his or her hand to another, with only the little finger lifted, it is a sign of reconciliation (called a "Sholem," usually used by younger children).
In Russia, when two people are French-kissing, it is customary to often link little fingers together.
In Australia, when a male driver is showing signs of road rage, women hold up their pinkie fingers.
Chapman University students hold up one pinky as a sign of professionalism.
Rings
The Iron Ring is a symbolic ring worn by most Canadian engineers. The Ring is a symbol of both pride and humility for the engineering profession, and is always worn on the little finger of the dominant hand.
In the United States the Engineer's Ring is a stainless steel ring worn on the fifth finger of the working hand by engineers that belong to the and have accepted the
Signet rings are often worn on the little finger.
Fingernails
In the Balkans, a solitary long fingernail on the pinky finger of a man signifies that he is single. In Bulgaria, a long fingernail on the pinky finger is considered "fashion" by working-class men.
The nail on this finger is also sometimes grown by recreational drug users to scoop powders for insufflation.
See also
Additional images
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