The ''first finger'' is an ambiguous term in the English language due to two competing finger numbering systems that can be used. It might refer to either the
thumb
The thumb is the first digit of the hand, next to the index finger. When a person is standing in the medical anatomical position (where the palm is facing to the front), the thumb is the outermost digit. The Medical Latin English noun for thumb ...
or the
index finger, depending on the context. The ''second finger'' is another ambiguous term in English. It might refer to either the index finger or the
middle finger, also dependent on context. The same can be said for the ''third finger'' (referring to either the middle finger or the
ring finger); and the ''fourth finger'' (referencing either the ring finger or the
pinky
Pinky may refer to:
* Pinky finger, the smallest finger on the human hand
People
* Pinky Maidasani, first female folk rapper and Indian playback singer
* Pinky Rajput (born 1969), Indian voice artist
* Pinky (nickname), a list
* Pinky Lee (19 ...
). The ''fifth finger'' will exclusively refer to the pinky, (also called the ''little'' finger).
Finger numbering systems
The
ordinal number
In set theory, an ordinal number, or ordinal, is a generalization of ordinal numerals (first, second, th, etc.) aimed to extend enumeration to infinite sets.
A finite set can be enumerated by successively labeling each element with the least n ...
s of the fingers of the human hand are numbered ambiguously in the English language. This is due to two competing finger numbering systems that can be used. For instance, the first finger might refer to either the thumb or the index finger, depending on the context.
Five-finger system
In the ''Five-finger system'', the ''first finger'' usually refers to the thumb (or first digit) in a medical context,
or in a musical context when referring to
playing keyboard instruments, such as the piano or accordion.
The ''second finger'' under this system will refer to the index finger (or second digit) in medicine, or in a musical context when referencing the playing of keyboard instruments.
The ''third finger'' usually refers to the middle finger (or third digit) in a medical context,
or in a musical context when referring to keyboard instruments.
The ''fourth finger'' refers to the
ring finger (or fourth digit) in a medical context,
or in a musical context when referring to keyboard instruments.
The ''fifth finger'' refers to the
pinky finger (or fifth digit) in a medical context,
or in a musical context when referring to keyboard instruments.
Four-finger system
Here, in the ''four-finger system'', as well as in common English, the ''first finger'' refers to the index finger (the finger next to the
thumb
The thumb is the first digit of the hand, next to the index finger. When a person is standing in the medical anatomical position (where the palm is facing to the front), the thumb is the outermost digit. The Medical Latin English noun for thumb ...
). This designation carries over in a musical context when referencing the playing of
stringed instruments (such as the guitar),
woodwind instruments
Woodwind instruments are a family of musical instruments within the greater category of wind instruments. Common examples include flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and saxophone. There are two main types of woodwind instruments: flutes and reed ...
(such as flutes, pipes, or piccolos), and
brass instruments (such as horns).
The ''second finger'' refers to the middle finger in common English, or when playing string, brass, or woodwind instruments in music.
The ''third finger'' refers to the ring finger in common English,
or in a musical context when referring to string, brass, or woodwind instruments.
The ''fourth finger'' refers to the pinky (or little) finger in common English, or in a musical context when referring to string, brass, or woodwind instruments.
See also
*
finger
*
hand
A hand is a prehensile, multi-fingered appendage located at the end of the forearm or forelimb of primates such as humans, chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs. A few other vertebrates such as the koala (which has two opposable thumbs on each "h ...
References
{{Reflist
Fingers