National Finger Day

A pianist's hands, delicate and nimble, effortlessly playing on the keys of a grand piano. Victorian-inspired clothing, elegant scenes with soft background lighting.. — National finger day illustration

Ever seen fingers fly over piano keys, flit across a touchscreen, or take a beautiful catch on the cricket field and thought, 'Wow, fingers are amazing!'? Well, you're not alone! Turns out there's a whole day dedicated to these handy little appendages - National Finger Day! It's an oddball celebration that has taken the internet by storm since May 9, 2016.

When is Finger Day?

It's national finger day on the 9th May.

The Birth of National Finger Day

The year was 2016, and the date was May 9. To an outside observer, it might have seemed like just another day. Little did they know, a finger-related revolution was taking hold of the Internet. Users across the globe began celebrating this quirky day, hence birthing what we at WhatNationalDayIsIt.com know as National Finger Day.

Fingers: Not Just Handy!

Fingers do a lot more than just hold our smartphones and type away gratuitously on a keyboard. They play a pivotal role in how we interact with the world every day - whether it's catching a football or playing a musical instrument, cooking a meal, or holding the hand of a loved one.

The Power of the Pointer and Pals

It's not just the versatility of our digits that's noteworthy. Each finger plays a vital role, from the sturdy thumb to the reliable index finger or the pinkie, often considered the underdog of the hand.

Gettin' Fingerlicious!

Some fans of National Finger Day have turned their passion for the day into mouthwatering finger foods. So, why not celebrate by making some finger sandwiches, chicken fingers or cheese sticks? Or, if cooking isn't your thing, give a hearty thumbs up to your favourite meal at a restaurant!

A Gentle Reminder

This National Finger Day serves as a reminder for us to appreciate how useful our digits really are. So, let's give them a little love, a mini-massage perhaps, or even some creative nail art to show some appreciation!

History behind the term 'Finger'

Old English (around 950 AD)

The Birth of 'Finger'

The term 'finger' can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled as 'fingor' or 'finger'. This term referred to the long, flexible appendage on the human hand that is used for gripping and manipulating objects. In Old English, the word 'finger' had a similar meaning to its modern usage, indicating the digit found on the hand.

Middle English (around 1150 AD)

The Evolution of 'Finger'

As the English language evolved into Middle English, the term 'finger' retained its original meaning but underwent some changes in pronunciation. Over time, the 'g' sound at the beginning of the word started to fade, resulting in a pronunciation closer to the modern 'finger'. The spelling also gradually shifted to 'fingere' during this period.

16th Century

Expansion of the Term 'Finger'

During the 16th century, the term 'finger' expanded beyond its literal meaning and began to be used figuratively. It started to represent a pointing gesture or action performed with the index finger. This extended usage reflected the importance of symbolic gestures, especially in social contexts where hand gestures played a significant role in communication.

19th Century

Idioms and Expressions

In the 19th century, the English language witnessed the emergence and popularization of idioms and expressions incorporating the term 'finger'. Expressions such as 'to have a finger in every pie', meaning to be involved in multiple activities, or 'to point the finger at someone', indicating blame or accusation, became part of everyday language. These idioms enriched the language with vivid imagery and provided creative ways to convey complex ideas.

Modern Era

Influence on Popular Culture

The term 'finger' continues to play a significant role in modern popular culture. From memorable movie quotes like 'Who can forget the iconic line uttered by Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry where he famously states, 'You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?' to the catchy tunes in children's songs like 'The Finger Family Song,' this term has made its way into various aspects of entertainment, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture.

Did you know?

The idea of a day dedicated to fingers is thought to have started as a joke amongst a group of friends, but the internet caught on and ran with it, turning it into a full blown celebration!