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拇指 or 拇趾?


klortho

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According to 现代汉语词典(2002 edition), 指 is finger; 趾 is toe. But it's strange that there is the word 拇指, which means 'thumb or big toe', in the dictionary, while the word '拇趾' doesn't exist.

Meanwhile We do have the word 脚趾. Most people also think our big toe should be '拇趾'. It may be a misusage like what grammarians often complain.:mrgreen:

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I believe originally there was just one "mǔzhǐ" for both thumb and big toe, then someone must have thought it's a good idea to differentiate them via 拇指 and 拇趾. (cf. 他/她/它)

Anal retentive is a great word
True, anything to do with Freud always gets me excited! :mrgreen:
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