Finger numbering

[César Hernández-Meraz]

I did a quick search to see if someone else had asked this (or even myself).

I would like to know what Mr. King's method of finger numbering is. If he mentions "third and fourth fingers", would those be middle and ring (counting the thumb as first finger)? Or would they be ring and pinky?

It's hard for me as I always started with the thumb, and it was until more recently that I noticed some English speaking people do not count the thumb as a finger.

Ms Mod, perhaps you could know? I'd be very grateful if you could share that piece of info.

Thanks in advance, everyone.

 

[GNTLGNT]

I did a quick search to see if someone else had asked this (or even myself).

I would like to know what Mr. King's method of finger numbering is. If he mentions "third and fourth fingers", would those be middle and ring (counting the thumb as first finger)? Or would they be ring and pinky?

It's hard for me as I always started with the thumb, and it was until more recently that I noticed some English speaking people do not count the thumb as a finger.

Ms Mod, perhaps you could know? I'd be very grateful if you could share that piece of info.

Thanks in advance, everyone.

....as a nurse and anatomically speaking, each digit counts as a finger...

 

[Spideyman]

I did a quick search to see if someone else had asked this (or even myself).

I would like to know what Mr. King's method of finger numbering is. If he mentions "third and fourth fingers", would those be middle and ring (counting the thumb as first finger)? Or would they be ring and pinky?

It's hard for me as I always started with the thumb, and it was until more recently that I noticed some English speaking people do not count the thumb as a finger.

Ms Mod, perhaps you could know? I'd be very grateful if you could share that piece of info.

Thanks in advance, everyone.

 

[Grandpa]

Carpal, see 'em. It's a meta thing.

 

[Sundrop]

Carpal, see 'em. It's a meta thing.

 

[fljoe0]

Now you can just substitute a 2 for the pointy stick.

 

[Sundrop]

Now you can just substitute a 2 for the pointy stick.

Nah, I like the weight of the stick in my hand

 

[not_nadine]

For me, like spidey says.
I use the thumb for 10's to keep track. Not that I go around counting on my fingers all the time..

 

[César Hernández-Meraz]

That's the problem. It seems people use both methods (well, some people use one and some the other).

If there was something like "everyone in the USA uses this method", we could be more certain.

Spoiler: The reason why I ask this. If you have not read "The Stand", don't look at the spoiler.

Spoiler

As it is, the phrase "Ralph Brentner had lost the third and fourth fingers on his left hand" could mean any of these images is true.

(By the way, that is why I am interested in a more specific and unambiguous answer, as there are more characters with mentions to specific fingers in Mr. King's novels.)

 

[danie]

That's the problem. It seems people use both methods (well, some people use one and some the other).

If there was something like "everyone in the USA uses this method", we could be more certain.

Spoiler: The reason why I ask this. If you have not read "The Stand", don't look at the spoiler.

Spoiler

As it is, the phrase "Ralph Brentner had lost the third and fourth fingers on his left hand" could mean any of these images is true.

(By the way, that is why I am interested in a more specific and unambiguous answer, as there are more characters with mentions to specific fingers in Mr. King's novels.)

Spoiler

I would read third and fourth fingers to mean the ring finger and pinky. The thumb is technically a finger though, so you’ll have to get the low-down from SK himself. : )

 

[GNTLGNT]

....as I learned way back in Anatomy & Physiology-the thumb IS a finger.....which is why I stated such earlier.....technically they are all metacarpals, but that's just to jazzy a word to roll out all the time.....

 

[doowopgirl]

Spoiler

I would read third and fourth fingers to mean the ring finger and pinky. The thumb is technically a finger though, so you’ll have to get the low-down from SK himself. : )

I would take it the same way

 

[do1you9love?]

I am not medically educated like GNTLGNT but I agree with his reply. I don't use the above, nor had I heard of it until now. Third and fourth finger to me would be middle and ring finger.

Eagerly awaiting Ms. Mod's answer and again, picturing Sai King shaking his head at some of the questions we come up with for him!

 

[Neesy]

I am not medically educated like GNTLGNT but I agree with his reply. I don't use the above, nor had I heard of it until now. Third and fourth finger to me would be middle and ring finger.

Eagerly awaiting Ms. Mod's answer and again, picturing Sai King shaking his head at some of the questions we come up with for him!

Judging by Spidey's picture the third finger on the right hand would be third from the left or in other words the one to the right of the middle finger. (excluding the thumb).


Just ran across a random video as well (Donny Osmond's picture is in it)

 

[César Hernández-Meraz]

Spoiler

I would read third and fourth fingers to mean the ring finger and pinky. The thumb is technically a finger though, so you’ll have to get the low-down from SK himself. : )

Yes, only he can know for certain the method he uses. I hope there is an answer. And it seems that now more people are hoping for it, too.

....as I learned way back in Anatomy & Physiology-the thumb IS a finger.....which is why I stated such earlier.....technically they are all metacarpals, but that's just to jazzy a word to roll out all the time.....

I have zero medical training, but people here in Mexico see all 10 of them as fingers, as far as I know.

 

[César Hernández-Meraz]

For people who are lucky enough to go to any SK public presentation, if you manage to get an answer for this (and share it here), I'll create a piece of SK fan art especially for you, along with my gratitude.