Because we are sinister

Happy Friday the 13th!! Happy Left-Handers Day!!!

Did you know left-handers are sinister? Sinister originally meant left, but because the left hand was considered weak, the word came to be known as evil or unlucky during Roman times. The person who sat to the king’s left was called sinister, and many women were accused of being witches because they were left-handed. It makes sense that Left-Handers Day would be on Friday the 13th.

I am a proud left-hander and am very glad I live in a time and place where no one punishes me for how I write or use a utensil. However, I’m still surprised by the number of people who say to me (quite loudly), “You’re left-handed!?!?!?!” The shock in their voice makes me wonder if they had ever seen a left-handed person before. There are quite a few of us around. Heck, growing up, 75% of my family was left-handed. You’d think it would be commonplace, but I still often get a shocked look.

These holidays are two of my favorites. Buck superstition by petting a black cat (I’ve got two who love attention), walking under a ladder, and buying a sinister person something made for left-handers. Oddness should be celebrated.