little finger

Fingers
Thumb · Index · Middle · Ring · Little

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.

The pinky finger extended

Muscles

There are four muscles that control the little finger, three of which comprise a group called the hypothenar eminence :

• hypothenar eminence
  • Opponens digiti minimi muscle
  • Abductor minimi digiti muscle (adduction from third palmar interossei)
  • Flexor digiti minimi brevis (the "longus" is absent in most humans)
• Extensor digiti minimi muscle

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).

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. Also, when used by young children and accompanied by the word "Katti" (pronounced kuh-tee), it signifies the breaking of a friendship. Used very casually; reconciliation is achieved by holding up the index and middle finger in a 'V' gesture and saying "Batti" (pronounced Buh-tee).

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.

Chapman University students hold up one pinky as a sign of professionalism.

In traditional Sinhalese weddings the little fingers of the bride and the groom are bound by a thread, especially a golden thread, to symbolize the strong bond of a long lasting integrity and faith.

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 Order of the Engineerand have accepted the Obligation of an Engineer.

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.

The nail on this finger is also sometimes grown by recreational drug users to scoop powders for insufflation.

References

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2007)

See also

• fifth metacarpal

Additional images

Little finger

Bones of the left hand. Palmar surface.

Bones of the left hand. Dorsal surface.

The fifth metacarpal. (Left.)

Look up little finger in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

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