Holiday Finger Pull
Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Christmas is a few weeks away, and it’s the time of year when most of us become nostalgic about days gone by, and Christmas’ past.
While I was traveling down memory lane, my Uncle Jim, and his finger, and the pulling thereof, came to mind.
How many of you had “Uncle Jims” that would ask you, “Go ahead, pull my finger.”?
I did it every time. I knew what would happen and what a ruckus it would cause, but I did it anyway.
In case there is someone reading this who has never pulled their uncle’s finger, let me explain.
You pull the finger, the persons whose finger you’re pulling farts. It’s simple, but an act that has been repeated through generations, and usually around the festive times of the year.
No one knows where this started, or more importantly why it stared. Searching Wikipedia provided scant information on the origin of this time honored practice.
There are few facts we do know:
1. Men, more than women ask to have their fingers pulled.
2. Uncles, more than fathers, brothers, or cousins, asked to have their finger pulled. It’s as if it’s in the, “How To Be An Uncle” handbook.
3. The results are always the same.
4. Men find amusement in the act, women do not.
5. Children will always pull the finger, even though they know what’s about to explode on the scene.
6. Most often heard words are, “Stop it. Grow up. It’s not funny. Do you want him to do that when he grows up?”.
Thankfully, political correctness has not invaded this most time honored holiday tradition.
To all you uncles out there, go ahead, get that finger pulled. It’s the holidays! 