What do Osama Bin Laden and Barak Obama have in common?
You have guessed it, both of them are left-handed!
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL LEFT HANDERS DAY!
For many years and even still in the 21st century in certain cultures, left handedness is not accepted as a choice.
We have all heard stories of how Mum /Dad, Grandma/Grandpa were forced to use their right (correct) hand. All types of draconian measures like corporal punishment or tying the left arm behind the back etc were used to enforce this.
Left Handers in History:
Stone age implements have been found that were used by left handers (So safe to say it’s been around for a while!)
The Latin word for left is “sinistram” or ‘’sinistra’’. This was later translated into English as sinister, evil or unlucky (No wonder there was a bit of bias against the lefthanders).
In the Middle Ages, any left hander lived in fear of being accused of practicing witchcraft. The devil himself was thought to be left-handed and he and other spirits were believed to be conjured using left-handed gestures.
There is even a condition named sinistrophobia: Fear of left handers!
Biology:
10% of the total population is left-handed with mixed genetic and environmental reasons. Men vs Women prevalence is 2:1
Despite popular belief, left handers are not smarter or more artistic than right handers. But they do have a big advantage in certain sports.
There are a lot of studies out there but no clear evidence to the contrary, so we can continue to believe what we want.
Slang:
The Australian term of “Mollydooker” is believed to come from ‘Dukes’ (fist) and ‘Molly’ being a bit queer (100 years ago there was a belief that left handers were queer).
Claim to Fame:
Some left-handed sports people are Rafael Nadal (Tennis), Martina Navratilova (Tennis), Brian Lara (Cricket), Matthew Hayden (Cricket) and Adam Gilchrist (Cricket).
Some well known actors like Bruce Willis, Matthew Broderick, Dianne Keaton, Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman are left-handed too, as well as some antiheroes like Jack the Ripper, the Boston Strangler and Billy the Kid.
So next time you use a pen, scissors, guitar, mouse, can opener or bench saw with ease, please think of us.
This article has been written by Dr Pieter de Klerk
P.S. Left handedness (or pawness!) is much more prevalent in the animal world. Stop and look closely, your favourite pet might be one of us.
Multiple studies have even been done on both, with the conclusion drawn that like in humans, males are more likely to be lefties than females!
Have a look at these articles to read more on left pawed dogs and cats.
