Futility Closet

“Lord Dundreary’s Finger Puzzle to Count Eleven Fingers on the Two Hands”

Posted in Oddities by Greg Ross on May 23rd, 2008

Begin on one hand, and count the ten fingers throughout. Begin next time at the finger last counted in the first round, counting this time backwards — ten, nine, eight, seven, six — then holding up the other hand, say ‘And five are eleven.’

Cassell’s Complete Book of Sports and Pastimes, 1896