Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

The following is from a textbook:

Traditionally, Europeans and Americans shake hands. They do this with the right hand----the strongest hand for most people.

Why does the author use "the strongest" instead of "the stronger?

Don't people have only two hands?


Thanks

[pugachevV]

Because the author is ignorant or perhaps careless. You are quite correct that it should be the stronger (of two). In fact, I believe the custom started in the days when men were armed with swords. The right hand was usually the sword hand and so if they were shaking hands, the theory is they could not use their swords.