# Cross your fingers... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 20, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cross-your-fingers/189782 "2003-07-20T19:15:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cross-your-fingers/189782/1 "2003-07-20T19:15:58Z")
After a very modest win on the National Lottery (UK), I just happened to notice that their [Logo](http://www.national-lottery.co.uk/player/p/home/home.do) had the fingers crossed the wrong way… Or so I thought. I’ve always crossed my fingers index over second finger (palms facing down) and couldn’t imagine anyone doing anything else… But the three people I’ve asked about it cross the second over the index. And they can all roll their tongue up whereas I can’t. I know this is hardly an earth-shattering question but it just seemed so strange to me when I found out. So… Am I a freak… or did Darwin miss something? ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cross-your-fingers/189782/2 "2003-07-20T19:21:14Z")
I’ve just tried it, and I can’t cross my fingers completely the way you describe- my index finger doesn’t reach all the way across my middle finger unless I grab it with the other hand and force it. It feels completely unnatural. So, yes, you must be a freak, because you do this very minor thing slightly different than me. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cross-your-fingers/189782/3 "2003-07-20T19:22:14Z")
Another middle-over-index here. Your way seems odd to me, though I can do it. The same can be said for folding the hands–most people fold them with the right thumb topmost, like I do, but a few do it the opposite way. I don’t know if it’s a hardwired preference or not, though. The latter seems loosely connected to handedness. ---
**Author:** ![SylverOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SylverOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SylverOne)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cross-your-fingers/189782/4 "2003-07-20T19:27:28Z")
It’s easier for me to cross my second finger over my index finger namely because my second finger is longer, (as is basically everyone elses’.) So now your freak status has been seconded!! 😉 Go forth and be a freak in peace. P.S. Congrats!! on the win. ---
**Author:** ![Shrinking\_Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Shrinking\_Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shrinking_Violet)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cross-your-fingers/189782/5 "2003-07-21T16:54:32Z")
Pay no attention to the nasty people … you’re _not_ a freak, you’re “uniquely talented”. Now come to momma … _How big was that win again?_ Julie 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cross-your-fingers/189782/6 "2003-07-21T18:54:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Q.E.D. \* > [BThe same can be said for folding the hands–most people fold them with the right thumb topmost, like I do, but a few do it the opposite way… \*\* Oh dear… Is Tod Browning still making movies? Shrinking Violet: Like I said, a ‘Very Modest Win’… a curry for four and not even enough left for a Bedfordshire Clanger… Have you tried one yet?