Are you or do you have a left-handed person in the family? I remember when my son was young and I watched as he began to learn how to use a fork. I noticed he held it in his left hand. I mentioned it to my doctor just wondering when you knew for sure if your child was right or left handed. She told me that at his age you just can’t tell. Over time it became evident that he was predominantly left handed.
Sunday as we were waiting in the urgent care room I mentioned to my son that it was a good thing he was left handed. Saturday during his soccer game he tripped and jammed his right thumb and we were making sure it wasn’t broken (thankfully it was just a sprain). He said to me he doesn’t understand how I can write with my right hand. I said I couldn’t understand how he could write with his left. He does most things with his left hand and even kicks with his left foot. However there are some things he does with his right hand like use a computer mouse, he bats right handed, but pitches left handed.
I thought it would be fun to put together some fun facts about left-handers. Just a note I do not pretend to assume any of these facts are true and thought they were just fun!
Left Handed Fun Facts
- There is a high tendency in twins for one to be left-handed.
- Left-handers excel particularly in tennis, baseball, swimming and fencing.
- 4 of the 5 original designers of the Macintosh computer were left-handed.
- Between 10-12% of people on earth are “lefties.”
- Many people who are left-handed draw figures that face to the right.
- One in four Apollo astronauts were left-handers.
- About 30 million people in the United States are left-handed.
- Left-handers adjust more readily to seeing underwater.
- Lefties seem to be overrepresented among geniuses. There were more left-handed people with IQs over 140 than right-handed people (according to a recent study).
- Studies have shown that if a left-hander injures his dominant hand, he has an easier time learning to use the other hand than his right-handed counterparts
- Left-handers are generally more intelligent, better looking, imaginative and multi-talented than right handers – Well, at least according to a survey given to lefties!
Signs Your Baby May Be Left Handed
- Lefties seem to be overrepresented among geniuses. According to research done at St. Lawrence University in New York, there were more left-handed people with IQs over 140 than right-handed people.
- One other potential sign of having a left-handed baby is the age of the mother. When expectant mothers are over 40 the babies are over 125% more likely to be left-handed. Oh, and if you are expecting twins, you should know that there is a high tendency for one twin to be left-handed.
Famous Left Handed People in History
- Benjamin Franklin
- Ronald Reagan
- George H.W. Bush
- Bill Clinton
- Barack Obama
- Joan of Arc
- Julius Caesar
- Henry Ford
Famous Left Handed Celebrities
- Bill Gates
- Leonardo Da Vinci
- Tim Allen
- Tom Cruise
- Jim Henson
- Kermit the Frog
- Angelina Jolie
- Marilyn Monroe
- Oprah Winfrey
- Bruce Willis
- Julia Roberts
- Justin Bieber
Tammy says
Ha ha ha – that last ‘fact’ made me chuckle.
Theresa says
I have two left handed kids, this will be so cool to show them.
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
Kim is left handed and I always laugh when she goes to write. Not sure why.
Donna says
No lefties here, but my husband is ambidextrous. And the last fact cracked me up. 🙂
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
Now I need to examine every pair of twins I ever encounter to see if this is true!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
I am a leftie when it comes to writing and eating, but am right handed everywhere else. Hubby is left handed. Both our boys are right handed. Go figure. Interesting facts!
Jennifer @TheRebelChick says
I’m sorry about our son’s injury but these are some pretty cool fun facts!
Sheri says
I have a friend who would definitely agree with that last fact!
Jenn says
I didn’t realize President Obama was left-handed.
Mellisa says
This is really interesting. We are all right handed in our family though.
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
I’ve actually heard this about left handed people. I wish I was totally left handed! I can write with it but mainly use my right.
Stephanie says
What fun facts! My daughter is a leftie, and to be honest she always feels like it holds her back so I am going to have to show this post to her. She is going to love it!
Angela says
My son and one of my nephews are both left handed. Love the fun facts!
Mickey says
My younger daughter is left-handed and we think it’s pretty cool. I’ll share these facts with her when she gets home from school. 🙂
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
Two of my stepsons are left handed.
Marcie W. says
This is great since there has been a left handed family member in every generation going back as far as we can remember. My oldest daughter is the lefty out of all the youngest kids!
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie} says
My daughter is a lefty… at least we think she is… she swaps off to favor right on occasion.
Stefanie says
Interesting. I don’t know anyone left handed.
orangeheromama says
Very interesting! My ex-h is a lefty, my youngest is a lefty (but can also do things rightie) and my other daughter is a rightie but does some things leftie! It’s sooo weird and confusing and wonderful!
Tammy S says
These are some great facts. I also have a son who is a lefty. My son also throws and bats right handed. Thanks for sharing this info.
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
Wow, I didn’t know there was so many lefty’s out there. I’m a lefty and I LOVE it!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
I’ve always been intrigued by lefties.