# I tend to "grow" when I get in water...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-tend-to-grow-when-i-get-in-water/481741>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 17, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-tend-to-grow-when-i-get-in-water/481741 "2009-01-17T13:59:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Capcha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Capcha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capcha)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-tend-to-grow-when-i-get-in-water/481741/41 "2009-01-18T14:23:43Z")

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I’ve done a small experiment:

Take a pen. Now if you imagine that you’re the one …handling it (the palm of your hand faces down). With my hand it takes one fist + 3 fingers (from pinkie and up). Now if i hold it with palms facing up, i need both fists entirely.

The above can be imagined that your girlfriend is staring eyes to one eye (dry land) and looking you in the eyes (in water) so i think the technique of handling it is different.

I think it’s because of the pointer finger. It more comfortable to angle or ‘snuggle’ the pointer finger and thumb against something (palm up) not so with the pinkie.

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**Author:** ![D-bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@D-bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D-bear)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-tend-to-grow-when-i-get-in-water/481741/42 "2009-01-21T02:38:58Z")

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Hmmmm. E-mail me some before and after pics. I’ll take a look and let you know what I think 😉

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**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-tend-to-grow-when-i-get-in-water/481741/43 "2009-01-21T03:02:01Z")

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How warm is your pool??

When I go swimming, growth is not an issue. In fact even an hour after I get home it still looks like Verne Troyer wearing Michael Jordan’s polo-neck.

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**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\
**Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-tend-to-grow-when-i-get-in-water/481741/44 "2009-01-21T03:07:23Z")

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> [@Satellite\_Guy](#):
>
> Glad to be of service… 😃
> 
> S^G

Maybe your “service” explains the length difference?

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