# ring finger

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-finger/50353>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 16, 2001, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-finger/50353 "2001-01-16T18:34:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)\
**Post date:** [January 16, 2001, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-finger/50353/1 "2001-01-16T18:34:15Z")

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My daughter asked me this last night, maybe someone can help answer. Make a loose fist, and extend each finger out one by one (first thumb, then index, etc.). Why is it harder to move the ring finger out by itself than moving it with the pinky?

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**Author:** ![flynnstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ebca7d/32.png) [@flynnstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flynnstone)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2001, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-finger/50353/2 "2001-01-17T23:11:10Z")

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I always just assumed it was because we have use that finger less than the others. Therefore, it’s not as strong and harder to lift.

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**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\
**Post date:** [January 17, 2001, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-finger/50353/3 "2001-01-17T23:19:49Z")

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I think it’s we never develop that skill. Not that we can’t, but it probally would not serve any purpose to do so.

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**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-finger/50353/4 "2001-01-18T01:01:39Z")

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I think it’s more than that… I can extend my index and pinky fingers so they’re parallel with the back of my hand, and I can extend my middle finger almost as far. But no matter how hard I try, I absolutely cannot extend my ring finger past my pinky finger. It’s not just harder to move, it’s impossible.

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**Author:** ![Candi757](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Candi757](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candi757)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-finger/50353/5 "2001-01-18T01:14:26Z")

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when extending that fourth finger, did you notice the “web” of skin between that finger and the pinky… it’s not loose enough (i guess we can use that term) but as you pull back, your skip flap between the ring and pinky isn’t going to stretch so you pull the pinky along with the fourth finger.