Finger numbering#Five-finger system
{{Short description|Ambiguous numbering of the human fingers}}
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 or the index finger, depending on the context.
Consequently, also the terms second finger, third finger and fourth finger depend on the numbering system used in the context. Instead, the fifth finger will exclusively refer to the pinky, (also called the little finger), since the term is only used in the five-finger system.
Finger numbering systems
The ordinal numbers 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 refers to the thumb (or first digit); usually this system is used in a medical context,{{cite web | title=Fingers in medicine |url=https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/first+finger |website=Medical Dictionary |access-date=17 August 2022}} or in a musical context when referring to playing keyboard instruments, such as the piano or accordion.{{cite web |title=Naming the Fingers on the Piano |url=https://www.sagemusic.co/naming-the-fingers-on-the-piano |website=Sage Music {{!}} Piano, Voice, Guitar Lessons & More Music Lessons Online |access-date=17 August 2022 |date=25 February 2013}}
Consequently, second finger under this system will refer to the index finger (or second digit), third finger refers to the middle finger (or third digit), fourth finger refers to the ring finger (or fourth digit) and fifth finger refers to the pinky finger (or fifth digit).
=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).{{Cite web | url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/first_finger| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170925132348/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/first_finger| url-status=dead| archive-date=September 25, 2017| title=First Finger : Definition of first finger in English {{!}} Oxford Dictionaries| website=Oxford Dictionaries {{!}} English| access-date=2017-06-08}}{{cite web | title=First finger |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/first-finger |website=Collins English Dictionary |access-date=17 August 2022}} This designation carries over in a musical context when referencing the playing of stringed instruments (such as the guitar),{{cite book | title=Anatomy of the Orchestra |last=Del Mar |first=Norman |author-link=Norman Del Mar |year=1981 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley and Los Angeles |isbn=0-520-05062-2 |pages=482–484 (1987 paperback edition) }} woodwind instruments (such as flutes, pipes, or piccolos), and brass instruments (such as horns).{{cite web | title=Flute For Dummies Cheat Sheet |url=https://www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/music/instruments/flute/flute-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-208477/ |website=dummies |access-date=17 August 2022 |language=en}}
Consequently, second finger under this system will refer to the middle finger, third finger refers to the ring finger, fourth finger refers to the pinky (or little) finger.
See also
References
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