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Euronews
3 days ago
- General
- Euronews
International Left-Handers Day: Facts you may not know about lefties
Happy International Left-Handers Day! Started in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, founder of the Left-Handers Club, today raises awareness about the everyday obstacles faced by roughly 10 per cent of the world's population - from awkward scissors to can openers and most guitars – as well as celebrates those who sometimes feel like left-overs in a right-handed world. Here are seven facts about left-handedness you may not know: Stigma throughout history Sad to say, but left-handed people have historically been considered evil or malicious. Black magic has often been referred to as 'the left-hand path' and in the Middle Ages, lefties were even burned at the stake for being in league with the devil. This probably wasn't helped by many religious texts focusing on the right hand - including Christianity, in which the right hand of God is the favoured one. Biases persisted throughout history and evil became unlucky or clumsy, as reflected in day to day language. For instance, the word 'sinister' comes from the Latin word for "left", and the word for the direction "right" also means "correct". In French, "gauche" refers to clumsiness. Other languages have similar constructs: Italian ("sinistra"); Spanish and Portuguese (to do something "por izquierda" can mean to engage in corrupt conduct); and German ("links", closely related to "linkisch" meaning "clumsy"). Expressions are numerous, with too many to list. As a sample: the Polish expression "mieć dwie lewe ręce", Dutch "twee linkerhanden hebben", and Hungarian "kétbalkezes" all mean "to have two left hands'" ie - to be clumsy. Smearing your ink Before the development of fountain pens, writing left-handed with a dip pen meant smearing your ink on the paper. Children in schools were forced to write with their right hand – with documented cases of their left hand being tied behind their back. This cruel practice and others like it were common in various countries and school systems – from the US to Russia and Taiwan, where about 59.3 per cent of naturally left-handed children had been forced to convert to right-handedness according to a 2007 study. Cultural associations Unfavorable associations don't end with witchcraft and clumsiness. The left hand is still considered unclean in many parts of the world. For instance, in India, Pakistan, Nepal and the Middle East, it is considered rude to pick up things or eat with your left hand. It is also customary amongst Muslims to use the left hand for cleaning oneself, as per personal hygiene rules in Islam. A male dominant trait Left-handers are more likely to be male. According to the 2008 study "Sex differences in left-handedness: a meta-analysis of 144 studies", 23% more men are left handers. Migranes and allergies According to a 1982 study by Norman Geschwind and Peter Behan, left-handed individuals had a statistically higher prevalence of immune disorders (including allergies and autoimmune diseases) compared to right-handers. It was also discovered that left-handed people were roughly twice as likely to experience migraines when compared to right-handed people. A creative advantage? It's not all bad news, as lefties are also considered to be more creative. A 2021 brain scan study found that about 20 per cent of left-handers showed more right-leaning brain activity in movement-related areas, versus just 5 per cent of right-handers. Indeed, it has been documented that left-handed individuals are more likely to use the right side of the brain for certain tasks – a side often associated with not only spatial awareness but also creativity. No wonder Leonardo Da Vinci, Charlie Chaplin, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie and Kurt Cobain were left-handed... Other celebrity lefties include Oprah Winfrey, Hugh Jackman, Lady Gaga, Prince William, Jennifer Lawrence and Simpsons creator Matt Groening - which explains why Bart writes with his left hand... Roo and behold! While the majority creatures show an even split when it comes to which hand / foot they favour the most, studies have shown that most kangaroos tend to use their left paw for everyday behaviours and the right for behaviours that require more physical strength. There you have it. Happy International Left-Handers Day!
News18
4 days ago
- Sport
- News18
International Left-Handers Day 2025: 10 Fascinating Facts And Famous Left-Handed Celebrities
Last Updated: On August 13, International Left-Handers Day celebrates the uniqueness, creativity, and achievements of left-handed people, while raising awareness of their challenges. International Left-Handers Day 2025 Date, History: International Left-Handers Day, on August 13, celebrates the uniqueness and talents of left-handed individuals who navigate a predominantly right-handed world. This day aims to raise awareness about the challenges left-handers face while also acknowledging their achievements and encouraging greater inclusivity and understanding. International Left-Handers Day History International Left-Handers Day was first celebrated in 1976, thanks to Dean R. Campbell, the founder of the Left-Handers Club. The day was created to highlight the challenges and experiences of left-handed people living in a world designed mostly for right-handers. Its purpose is to confront the historical biases and misconceptions surrounding left-handedness while also honoring the distinctive talents and viewpoints that left-handers contribute across different areas of life. Interesting Facts About Left-Handed People The human brain operates in a cross-wired manner, with the right hemisphere controlling the left side of the body and vice versa. Studies have shown that in left-handed people, the connections between the two brain hemispheres tend to be stronger and more efficient, especially in areas related to language and coordination. It is commonly believed that left-handed individuals are more creative and possess greater artistic or musical abilities, though scientific evidence to fully support this is still limited. In sports, left-handers often hold a competitive edge, particularly in one-on-one scenarios. Games such as tennis, boxing, fencing and baseball frequently see left-handed players outperform their right-handed counterparts, likely because most opponents are less accustomed to facing lefties. Left-handed people may recover more quickly from strokes. Since language functions are largely managed by the left hemisphere of the brain, which is more heavily utilised by right-handed individuals, lefties might have an advantage in rewiring language centers following a stroke. Historically, left-handedness has been misunderstood and stigmatised. Across many cultures, being left-handed was once considered unlucky or even sinister, a perception that gave rise to the word 'sinister," derived from Latin, meaning 'left." During the Middle Ages in Britain, left-handers were sometimes linked to evil or witchcraft, facing severe persecution. Thankfully, such beliefs have long faded, but some everyday challenges remain. Lefties often struggle with tools and objects designed for right-handed users, such as scissors, spiral notebooks, can openers and even musical instruments like the guitar. Famous Left-Handed Personalities Several prominent leaders have been left-handed, including former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. In the United Kingdom, notable lefties include ex-Prime Minister David Cameron and the iconic wartime leader Winston Churchill. The future King of the United Kingdom, Prince William, is also naturally left-handed. Interestingly, his great-grandfather, King George VI, was left-handed too but was forced to write with his right hand by his father, King George V. In the world of music and entertainment, left-handed celebrities include pop star Justin Bieber, who initially tried playing a right-handed guitar upside down, facing quite a challenge. Other famous lefties include media mogul Oprah Winfrey, legendary musician Sir Paul McCartney, singer Lady Gaga and actress Jennifer Lawrence. From Bollywood, notable left-handed stars include Amitabh Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur and Sonakshi Sinha, showcasing the diversity of talent among left-handed individuals worldwide. First Published: August 13, 2025, 07:13 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
