International Left-Handers Day • August 13
Only about 10% of people worldwide are left-handed, but the other 90% are probably curious about this trivia. 😉
• It starts early. Hand preference becomes increasingly apparent during early childhood and tends to remain consistent throughout life.
• There is no single “left-handed gene.” Handedness is influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors.
• Some people are mixed-handed. They may prefer one hand for certain tasks and the other for different tasks.
• Some left-handers were trained to use the right. In the past, left-handed children were sometimes encouraged or forced to switch, especially for writing.
• Left-handedness was once considered improper. In some cultures, the left hand was associated with things considered unclean, unlucky, or socially inappropriate.
• “Sinister” originally meant “left.” The Latin word sinister originally referred to the left side before developing its modern negative meaning.
• Left-handers can have an advantage in some sports. In sports such as tennis, boxing, baseball, and fencing, opponents may be less accustomed to facing left-handed competitors.
• Leonardo da Vinci was left-handed. Yup, he painted the Mona Lisa with his left hand.
• Other famous left-handers include Albert Einstein, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Paul McCartney, Jimi Hendrix, Lady Gaga, and Babe Ruth.
• Animals can favor one side too. Some dogs, cats, primates, and other animals show a preference for one paw or limb.
• The world often favors right-handers. Scissors, desks, notebooks, kitchen tools, and other everyday products are often designed with right-handed users in mind.
• Left-handedness is normal. It is a natural variation in human handedness, not a disorder.
So, right on! Left-handers!
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ