We just missed International Left Handers Day! The August 13 celebration highlights the uniqueness of the roughly 10 percent of the world’s population who are left-handed. Most of us are right-handed. A tiny one percent is naturally ambidextrous. Wow. Lucky them! If they break an arm, they can still sign a check!
Southpaws weren’t always applauded. They were once linked with bad luck and plain maliciousness. The word “sinister” comes from the Latin word meaning “on the left side.” In medieval times, lefties were accused of witchcraft and demonic possession. Black magic has been referred to as the “left-hand path.”
Guess it’s no coincidence that “right” stands for correct or proper. The word “left” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “lyft.” It’s meaning? Weak or broken. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that psychologists reclassified left-handedness as a normal neurological variation rather than a defect. The societal stigma has faded, thankfully! Gee, finally???
Science tells us that the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and vice versa. That means that a person’s dominant hand is controlled by the opposite hemisphere of the brain. However, left-brained (logical) or right-brained (creative) personalities are largely a myth. The two sides work together and complement each other.
Yet, lefties have a number of advantages. Music sees them as stars. Left-handed musicians can play right-handed instruments like guitars, violins, and pianos. Some players stress it even gives them an advantage in dexterity. Lefties are said to be gifted at advanced mathematics. It’s a controversial subject, but research has noted a moderate, yet significant correlation.
Sports! Southpaws are loved! They are statistically overrepresented in sports that require fast reactions against right-handed opponents, such as tennis and baseball. Swimming? Who cares. Left-footedness is really a plus in soccer but it’s not tied to being left-handed. Boxers who are lefties win more fights because they can confuse opponents with their stance.
Then there are the challenges left-handed people face in a world built for the right-handed. Since the Industrial Revolution, machines have been developed for them, since they dominate the workforce. Lefties adapt. And, they can go online and find Lefty’s, which sells kitchen items, tools, school and office supplies,and more for left-handed individuals.
Then there is the dinner table. Lefties suffer the inevitable “elbow wars” and jousting with right-handed diners unless they have the joy of sitting on a correct corner or the end of the table.
Left-handedness does not appear to be genetic. Interestingly, fetuses show a clear hand preference, sucking one thumb over the other in the womb. So, handedness is probably hardwired before birth.
Popular psychology once promoted the idea that geniuses were mostly lefties. A persistent, popular myth was that Einstein was left-handed. Nope. They’ve got the photos. Other tidbits: four of six recent U.S. presidents were lefties: Bush senior, Clinton, Obama, and Reagan. Children born to moms older than 40 are likely to be left-handed. Lefties have more vivid dreams.
So, our Wrinkled Wisdom for today? Be thoughtful of left-handed guests when seating them at your dinner table. Make sure those lefties are on your trivia team and your tennis team. For your left-handed friends, entertain them with this line: the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body; therefore, all left-handed people are in their right minds!
P.S. August 21st is National Senior Citizens Day. Love how the day is described… dedicated to honoring the achievements, wisdom, and ongoing contributions of older adults to society. Yes! Meet you at the bar. We’ll drink to that!
