The word “left” is thought to have derived from the Latin word laevus, which means ‘the shield’ or ‘lucky side’. Interestingly, the Latin word for Left was sinistral and this is where most of the negative connotations of left-handedness derived (sinister meaning bad or evil).
The world has created a fantastic list of names for left-handers, some positive but others not so positive. The languages have developed over thousands of years and are strongly affected by the cultures over those times. Many are derived from the observation of the left-hander doing various activities.
Below is a list of some we have collected and heard. Contact us if you know of any others (or if we have made an error).
|
Country / Language |
Lefty Term |
Other Meanings |
|
Australia (coll.) |
Mollydooker, Cacky-hander |
|
|
Germany |
Linkshänder |
Awkward |
|
Irish |
Láimh chlé, Ciotach |
|
|
The Netherlands |
Linkshandig |
|
|
Ancient Greek |
Aristerá |
The best (-> Aristocrat) |
|
Japanese |
Hidari |
Sun, on |
|
French |
Gauche (left) Gaucher (male left-hander) Gauchère (female left-hander) |
Awkward, clumsy
|
|
Norway |
Venstrehendt |
|
|
Italian |
Mancino, Sinistro |
Crooked |
|
Polish |
Mankut |
|
|
Russian |
Levsha |
|
|
Maltese |
Xellugija |
|
|
Tagalog (Philippines) |
Pangkaliwete |
|
|
Hindi |
Baayaan haath |
|
|
Arabic |
Yasariin |
|
|
Turkish |
Solak, Sol aski, Sol yumruk |
|
|
Denmark |
Venstre |
|
|
Welsh |
Llaw chwith |
|
|
Romanian |
Mânerul stâng |
|
|
Croatian |
Lijeva ruka |
|
|
Spanish |
Los zurdo |
|
|
Gaelic |
Làmh chlì |
|
|
Afrikaans |
Linkerhand |
|
|
Chinese |
Zuŏpiēzi |
|
|
Finland |
Vasen käsi |
|
|
Indonesia |
Seorang kidal |
|
|
Hungarian |
Balkezes ember |
|
|
Malay |
Penolng kiri |
|
|
Punjabi |
Khabē hathara |
|
|
USA |
Southpaw |
|
