The little finger is the smallest finger on your hand, located on the outside edge farthest from your thumb. It's also called the pinky or pinkie. While it's the shortest and thinnest of your five fingers, it plays a surprisingly important role in grip strength. Try picking up a heavy book with just your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers: you'll notice your hand feels weaker and less stable without that little finger helping out.

Some people can bend their little finger independently while keeping other fingers still, while others find this tricky. In many cultures, extending the little finger while drinking tea became associated with refined manners, though this custom has largely faded. Athletes and musicians know that the little finger, despite its size, contributes significantly to hand coordination and strength.

The phrase wrap someone around your little finger means to have complete influence over them, suggesting that even the smallest finger can have surprising power when used cleverly.