Is left bad and right good?

Sgt Jeffrey Clish — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 12:08:13 -0400

On my trip to Germany, a point of conversation came up during a break in meetings. Why do German's wear their wedding rings on the right hand instead of the left? What I found out was that he Latin word for left is "sinistra", a word that evolved into the English "sinister". The Latin word for right is "dexter", a word that evolved into "dexterity". Do you see this type of application elsewher?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 12 at 2016 12:21 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 12:21:38 -0400

I'm left handed. Are left handed people bad?

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jul 12 at 2016 12:56 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 12:56:06 -0400

What is the left hand used for throughout most of the Middle East? It derives from ancient Irdu, meaning "poop-hand".

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 12 at 2016 1:13 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 13:13:13 -0400

Proud lefty here. It helps during boxing/kickboxing as most aren't ready to face a southpaw. Sucks when I'm shooting though as guns for lefties tend to be more expensive.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 12 at 2016 1:48 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 13:48:58 -0400

Just another right 'wing' conspiracy.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2016 2:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 14:04:02 -0400

That is the same thing in Italian. Left is sinistra and right is dextra. Children who were naturally left hand dominant were thought of as being devil spawn back in the day.

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Jul 12 at 2016 3:02 PM

Sgt Tammy Wallace — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:02:32 -0400

it's the same in Spain. The Spanish wear their wedding rings on their right hand as well.

Response by PO1 Robin Slusher made Jul 12 at 2016 3:18 PM

PO1 Robin Slusher — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:18:30 -0400

I was born in 1965 and when it became apparent that I was going to be left handed, my paternal grandfather told my parents that they should force me to change hands because being left handed was "backwards". Not backwards in the regular sense but as in 'wrong' and 'sinister'. A lot of older people were forced to change hands. Luckily, my parents didn't do that to me.

Response by Sgt William Straub Jr. made Jul 12 at 2016 4:39 PM

Sgt William Straub Jr. — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 16:39:26 -0400

I have heard this before, but as a lefty, I don't consider myself "sinister". I am reminded of an old saying that goes for different parts of the body. "God made few perfect people, the rest are right handed."

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 25 at 2018 5:33 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 17:33:39 -0400

Muslims, do not shake or handle things with their left hand.