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Did you know that there are greater chances of being left-handed if others in your family are left-handed?
Most left-handers have been subjected at some time to a period of enforced use of the right hand. However, as Victor Hugo wrote in his "Les Miserable," Jean Valjean said, "The left-handed are precious; they take places which are inconvenient for the rest."
Leftsidedness and rightsidedness are very fundamental conditions. About 11% of people are left-handed. It is more common for males than females to be left-handed.
There is little consensus among scientists about the causes of left-handedness. Some researchers believe that the trait is due to genetics. Other scientists propose that being left-handed is due to environmental factors. Handedness, like many human traits, is probably determined by a complex interaction between genes and the environment.
Throughout history some have consider left-handers to be sinister. The Inuit believed that left-handers were sorcerers.
The Scottish Clan Kerr, known for their swordsmanship, built their Ferniehirst Castle with a staircase that spiraled counterclockwise. This architecture made it easier for left-handed swordsmen to swing their swords. Thus, in Scotland, Kerr-handed, means left-handed.
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Left-hander Jimi Hendrix played a right-handed guitar upside-down. He would string the guitar in a normal manner, with the thinnist string close to the floor. |
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Famous left-handers |
Peter Dune was the first person to use the term "southpaw," frequently used in sports. And, there are many southpaws playing sports. However, in polo and Jai-Alai, it is forbidden to have any left-handed players.
Left-handers might consider the sport of fencing. The left-handed fencer is at an advantage playing against a right-handed fencer. Can you imagine an Olympic team of left-handed fencers?
Article by: St. Louis Public Library staff
