Fun Facts About Left-Handed People You Probably Didn't Know

By Staff Reporter | Somerset-Pulaski Advocate

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Somerset, Kentucky (SPA)-- It's possible you know someone left-handed, or perhaps you're a lefty. Aside from the fact that lefties use their left hand to write, play sports, and do everyday tasks, you probably don't know much else about left-handed folks. As a lefty myself, I do know that I often have a hard time using school supplies like scissors and writing in a spiral notebook as my arm constantly hits the side. Still, other than that, I'm also quite unaware of more general information about left-handers.

Ahead, I've gathered 21 fun facts about left-handed people that you've probably never heard of before in the areas of sports, science, health, and culture. These are not only great conversation starters, but also will give you a leg up during your next trivia night with friends or for your social media post next year to celebrate International Left-Handers Day.

1. Left-handed people are more likely to be dyslexic-A 1993 analysis showed a strong correlation between left-handed people having dyslexia. However, in more recent years, the correlation has been more strongly tied to mixed-handed people instead of solely left-handers.

2. Between 10% and 12% of the world's population is left-handed. According to the BBC, left-handed people only make up approximately 10 to 12 percent of the population. To put this into perspective, that's one in 10 people or 847,000 people out of New York City's 8.478 million population from the 2024 census.

3.  Left-handed people are typically better at multitasking. According to Science.org, lefties can oftentimes be better multitaskers because they have a larger corpus callosum, or part of the brain that facilitates communication between the two hemispheres. If you know someone good at multitasking, then you'll want to see if they are left-handed, as this trait is often associated with being left-handed
4.  Left-handed people are usually more creative.  Not all left-handed people are creative; however, many do have more creative talents since lefties more often utilize the right side of the brain, which is responsible for the artistic side, according to the National Library of Medicine. 
   

5. Left-handed water polo players are rare but offer a competitive advantage- According to Swimming.org, left-handed water polo players are imperative because they can face both the goal and be responsive to teammates. That said, left-handed water polo players are rare but if you have one on your team, they can be a valuable asset.

6.  Children born to mothers older than 40 are more likely to be left-handed. Children born to mothers of advanced maternal age (older than 40) are more likely to be left-handed, according to a journal article from Duke University.

7. Left-handed boxers win more fights - Research has shown that left-handed boxers win more fights. This is because left-handers can confuse opponents with their stance, which is different from fighting a majority of right-handers.

8. Left-Handers Day is on August 13-If you’re left-handed, then you should observe August 13 to celebrate since it is International Left-Handers Awareness Day. This day was created to promote awareness about left-handers and foster a sense of community among lefties.

9. It's considered rude to use your left hand in some cultures. If you travel internationally, you’ll want to be mindful of what hand you’re using, even if you’re naturally a lefty. For example, in India, it’s considered rude and disrespectful to eat or touch food with your left hand because it's associated with hygienic tasks like using the restroom.

10. Left-handed people are more prone to allergies. According to a 1982 study, left-handers have a higher chance of developing immune disorders and conditions such as allergies. This isn’t to say every left-handed person suffers from bad allergies, but if you’re a lefty and tend to get a runny nose or itchy eyes, then this may be why.

11. Left-handed people are more likely to drink more often. Although the research is limited, there have been studies showing a significant correlation between left-handers and an increase in alcohol consumption. This isn’t to say that left-handers will become full-blown alcoholics, but on average, they tend to drink more.

12. Left handed peoples nails grow back faster on their left hand-This isn’t just a left-handed phenomenon but it happens to both lefties and righties. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your nails will grow faster on your more dominant hand so if you’re a lefty, then the nails on your left hand will grow back faster and vice versa.

13. Left handed oftentimes draw pictures of people facing the right-Whether you’re looking at a drawing from an adult or a child, left-handers will often draw pictures of people facing the opposite direction. This is said to be because of how their hands glide across the paper; however, it’s not a universal phenomenon.

14.  Female left-handed tennis players have an advantage over their male counterparts. Left-handed professional women tennis players have been shown to have an advantage in the sport over their male counterparts, according to an article in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine. 

15. Left-handed people tend to have more vivid dreams. The studies on this are limited; however, there was one from the American Psychological Association that indicates that left-handed individuals are better able to recall having vivid dreams at night. On the flip side, left-handed people are more prone to insomnia so if you have difficulty sleeping and are left-handed, then that could be a reason why.

16. Lefties typically perform better in baseball. Similar to boxing, tennis, and water polo, left-handed individuals tend to have an advantage at baseball too, especially as a pitcher, because they can generally throw curveballs and sliders that make it harder for those at bat to hit successfully, according to the MLB.

17.  Men are slightly more likely to be left-handed than women--A large meta-analysis conducted in 2008 showed that the male-to-female odds ratio of being left-handed is 1.23 percent. In other words, this means that if the chances of women being left-handed was 10 percent, then it would be 12 percent for men. It might not seem like a big difference, but it's significant enough in terms of large populations.

18. Celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and Hugh Jackman are left handed--There are many famous left-handed people in the world, many of whom you probably recognize, including Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Hugh Jackman, Cardi B, Bill Gates, Tina Fey and Gordon Ramsey.

19. Twins are more likely to be left handed--According to the Washington State Twin Registry, twins are more likely to be left-handed than singletons. Approximately 17 percent of all twins are left-handed and it’s said to be due to genetics, environmental factors and position in the womb.

20.  Children of left handed parents are more likely to be left handed---Children born to parents who are either one or both are left-handed are more likely to be lefties too, according to Medline Plus. That said, the probability is still not very high because most children born to left-handed parents are righties.

21. Left handed people tend to hit puberty later than their peers--Although this isn't widely supported, there was a 1991 study that showed that left-handed boys reached puberty four to five months later than their right-handed peers.

Being left-handed is more than just a preference for writing with your left hand; it's a unique trait that influences everything from brain function to daily interactions with a right-handed world. From using scissors to playing a guitar, lefties have adapted to a world that isn't always designed for them, often showing remarkable ingenuity and resilience.

Left-handedness, or sinistrality, affects a small but mighty portion of the global population, with estimates suggesting around 10% of people are left-handed. While the exact reasons remain a scientific mystery, it's clear that it's a mix of genetics and environmental factors. Some studies suggest a link between left-handedness and a higher likelihood of excelling in certain fields, such as visual arts, music, and even sports. Think of iconic left-handed figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Paul McCartney, and Babe Ruth, who all used their unique wiring to achieve greatness. Historically, left-handedness was often misunderstood and sometimes even stigmatized, but today, we celebrate the unique qualities that come with it. The challenges lefties face, like smudging ink while writing or having to special order certain tools, are minor inconveniences in the grand scheme of things. Instead, these experiences highlight a special kind of problem-solving and adaptability.

Ultimately, being left-handed is a fascinating part of human diversity. It's a reminder that there's no single "right" way to be wired. The next time you shake hands with a lefty or watch them navigate a world built for right-handers, you'll have a new appreciation for the unique and intriguing world of sinistrality.