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by alwayshonest on March 11th, 2008

alwayshonest

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I am left handed. I have always believed that the words "left" and "right" come from the idea that the right hand is the "right" hand to use, and the left hand is the hand that is "left" over. Can anyone support my theory with facts?

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Answers. 2 helpful answers below.

  • by Quirkie on March 11th, 2008

    Quirkie

    You might be right about right...
    but the two meanings you use for the word left come from different words:
    left over: Anglo Saxon: laefan
    left hand: Middle English: left/lift/luft

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  • by debodun on March 11th, 2008

    debodun

    Here's an article that might help you understand where these terms come from.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left-handed

    I always understood that the Latin term for "right" is "dexter" where we get the word "dextrous" meaning "skillful with the hands." The Latin word for "left" is "sinister" and we all know what that implies.

    It seems to me left-handedness is increasing. Back when I was a kid, like 50 years ago, there were hardly and southpaws, but now it seems like one in 5 people I meet are lefties. Maybe back then they just tried to discourage kids from being left-handed.

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You're reading I am left handed. I have always believed that the words "left" and "right" come from the idea that the right hand is the "right" hand to use, and the left hand is the hand that is "left" over. Can anyone support my theory with facts?

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