Talk:Index finger

Untitled
This:


 * During the Bosnian war, Orthodox Serbo-Bosnian troops raised two fingers in a victory sign (maybe related to Orthodox versions of the sign of the cross), Catholic Bosnian Croats raised three fingers (for Trinity) and Muslims raised the forefinger (after the strict monotheism of Islam).

...gets it all wrong: in fact, it was Croats who raised two fingers, and Serbs raised three. Consequently, attempted explanations are also wrong. I've corrected this in the Sign of the cross article and copied it here verbatim; see also Talk:Sign of the cross. GregorB 21:49, Apr 23, 2005 (UTC)

== Why it's called the 'index' finger ==

Umm...the middle finger wasn't called the index finger in the past because it was used to 'flip through index cards.' This is so ridiculously erroneous. Index means 'something that points or directs', so it was called 'index' finger because it points at things, not because its used to flip through index cards. Whoever wrote that is clearly a dumbass and shouldn't be allowed to write on wikipedia ever again.

Actually, the middle finger isn't called the index finger at all. Perhaps some should check their own accuracy prior to criticizing others.


 * And finally, the word 'index' comes from the Middle English word for forefinger, from IE root deik-, the same root from which we get 'digit.'


 * PS: sign talk pages with four tildes (~). JordeeBec 18:45, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

Ratio with ring finger
Over the years several studies have indicated several behaviour and medical aspects which the ratio between ring finger and index finger plays a part in, as a guide of testerone levels. Wondering if this should somehow be incorporated into either article or in an article of its own. --Stalfur 10:53, 23 May 2007 (UTC)
 * BBC:Finger length heart attack clue
 * BBC:Finger length 'key to aggression'
 * BBC:Fingers 'a clue to exam success'

This article fails pretty hard. Needs a better picture. That hand and wrist look like a skeleton. Also, needs moar mudkips. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 137.73.126.169 (talk) 13:03, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Men are 2.5 times more likely than women to have an index finger which is shorter than their ring finger, and such ratios correlate with an increased likelihood of osteoarthritis, especially for women. This sentence may be somewhat confusing because it speaks about men but ends with "especially for women", making the reader ask, "Wait--this was talking about men, right?"

I'm not saying it sounds wrong, just need a slight rewording so readers don't have to do a double-take.

in europe
in Europe pointing, is generally consider rude. as u could accidental point at a person, which can offend some people (and gets u an evil glance) Markthemac (talk) 00:38, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

I don't think that should be included here. Instead perhaps a link to Types_of_gestures.
 * And finger-pointing. --Pawyilee (talk) 14:35, 23 June 2011 (UTC)

I slightly corrected the bit that says that finger pointing isn't rude in the West... it's incredibly offensive to most people in all the European countries I've been in. 91.85.182.231 (talk) 23:11, 16 December 2011 (UTC)

The "Uses" Section
The "Uses" section really needs help, doesn't it? I especially found the following quite offputting: "Many between 2 and 12 years of age find the index finger particularly useful for "picking" their nose. This is done when the index finger is thrust upward into the nasal passage."

This isn't the Encyclopedia Dramatica. Wikipedia covers a wide range of topics, but it always treats them intelligently. This article sounds like a joke entry in a Wikipedia parody, rather than an actual article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.100.130.228 (talk) 18:06, 23 May 2014 (UTC)

I completely agree, the nose picking + the foam finger = ridiculous — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.226.163.84 (talk) 02:45, 28 October 2015 (UTC)

The use of index finger for pointing is used by every nation and every one its a common thing .the wikipedia page should not include it with specifying to certain natons Muhammad qari (talk) 06:46, 27 November 2021 (UTC)

Salafi/Jihadism
The act of pointing the index finger in the air is used as a symbol by radical Islamists such as ISIS to represent monotheism and the oneness of God ("There is no god but Allah"). I suggest that this be added to the article but am hesitant to do it myself because my Wikipedia credentials are rather slight.07:16, 30 May 2015 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.33.227.245 (talk)

I added it dont worry now. Muhammad qari (talk) 06:44, 27 November 2021 (UTC)

External links modified
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just added archive links to 1 one external link on Index finger. Please take a moment to review my edit. If necessary, add

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 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/20100331212736/http://www.comm.ohio-state.edu:80/pdavid/preparedness/docs/Crosscultural/gestures.pdf to http://www.comm.ohio-state.edu/pdavid/preparedness/docs/Crosscultural/gestures.pdf

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Cheers.—cyberbot II  Talk to my owner :Online 16:11, 11 February 2016 (UTC)

FYI: Merger of related pages
There is consideration of a merger of the pages First finger, Second finger, Third finger and Fourth finger into a new page. Please discuss at Talk:First finger#Merge (2023), and. — HTGS (talk) 23:11, 15 November 2023 (UTC)