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Original poster

Which months have 31 days...?

102 replies

BathshebaKnickerStickers · 02/04/2021 20:59

Just watching last night’s Taskmaster and the task is to come up with something memorable to replace the “30 days hath September “ poem.

Just had a discussion with DH - until I was 8 in lived in the central belt of Scotland and we just learned the rhyme.

When I was 9 I moved to Perthshire and there was a COMPLETELY MAD was to work it out ON YOUR KNUCKLES.

DH has just looked at me like I’m a crazy person but tbf I’m not an expert in this method as I moved there when I was 9, already knew the poem and my classmates already knew the knuckle thing.

Does anyone else - maybe from Perthshire - know the KNUCKLE THING.

Tbf my husband already worried about my education

OP posts:
Ninkanink · 02/04/2021 22:03

I’m danish and I was taught the knuckle method by my mum when I was about 7 years old. Then I learnt the poem in English later on when I was about 9.

Dilbertian · 02/04/2021 22:03

I learned the rhyme in primary and the knuckles in secondary, both in north London.

Ninkanink · 02/04/2021 22:04

@WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo

Just out of interest, how many of you know the finger method for 9 times table?
I know that one.
Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 02/04/2021 22:04

South east and never heard of the knuckle thing until tonight. It’s awesome Thankyou op.

LienD · 02/04/2021 22:04

Belgian and we also do the knuckle thing!

Dilbertian · 02/04/2021 22:05

Though we only ever used one hand, not both, and went over the knuckles twice.

Fiddlersgreen · 02/04/2021 22:06

I’m from London and my dad taught me the knuckle thing when I couldn’t remember the rhyme the school was trying to teach me, he was from Africa.

We did it on just one fist though and didn’t “double back” we just started again after July so the first knuckle then became August.

Dilbertian · 02/04/2021 22:07

@WhatWouldPhyllisCraneDo

Just out of interest, how many of you know the finger method for 9 times table?
About 1/3 of the kids on my class in 2ry knew it. They taught the rest of us, but I don't remember it.
vinoandbrie · 02/04/2021 22:08

I knew the rhyme and knuckle method as a child in Merseyside!

vinoandbrie · 02/04/2021 22:09

And knew finger method for nine times table 😊

LovelyLovelyWarmCoffee · 02/04/2021 22:10

I’m French and learned the knuckle thing there 30y ago.
Also know the finger method for 9 times table!

DrMadelineMaxwell · 02/04/2021 22:11

Ive taught the knuckle method to my year 5s via our maths scheme.

fairydustandpixies · 02/04/2021 22:14

I'm blown away by the knuckle thing!!

HelpLegalAdvicePlease · 02/04/2021 22:14

@Procrastatron Nothing! Once you get to December you're done! 😁

Inaminutenow · 02/04/2021 22:15

Grew up in Germany and learnt the knuckle way.

DancesWithDaffodils · 02/04/2021 22:17

Taught the rhyme at school. Midlands.
Use knuckles now. Not sure when I picked it up tho. Both hands, no doubling (can also start on right hand with August if you want the second half of the year)

And yes to 9x tables on fingers. Also shown at school.

Will0wtree · 02/04/2021 22:17

Brought up in South East London and I use the knuckle method, but only on left hand (didn't know it could be a two handed thing). (I bounce up and down on the littlest knuckle for July, August then come back.)

Do you know the finger method for the nine times table? Put both hand up in front of you, (palms towards you). Then fold down whatever finger you want. ie, You fold down your fourth finger along. There are three fingers to the left of it and six fingers to the right. 4 x 9 = 36

You fold down your sixth finger (which is the right hand little finger) there are five fingers standing up to the left of it and four to the right of it. 6 x 9 + 54

Bargebill19 · 02/04/2021 22:19

This knuckle thing is amazing!

YukoandHiro · 02/04/2021 22:20

Never heard the knuckle thing til now but that's great!

But then I only just learned last month that you can use your fingers to work out your nine times table. I'm 38. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sgtmajormummy · 02/04/2021 22:20

I learned the poem as a child but only found out about the knuckles from an Italian person. He doubled the last knuckle and reversed.

The finger trick for 9x when I was teaching DC1 was a revelation to me. So.....handy.Grin

Clevs · 02/04/2021 22:20

I know both, but was brought up with the rhyme. It wasn't until my young adult life that I heard about the knuckles. But I just know which months have 31 days without having to work it out anyway.

Walksallday · 02/04/2021 22:24

Dutch - and we learned the knuckle method at school 😄. My kids know it through me, never occurred to me it wasn’t taught here in the UK

Clevs · 02/04/2021 22:26

Never heard of the 9 times table one but have just done it and think it's really cool!

Will0wtree · 02/04/2021 22:27

Also, I don't know if anyone remembers when VAT was 17 1/2% And the easy way of working that out...

17 1/2 % of £46

10 per cent is £4.60
5 percent is therefore half that £2.30
2.5 percent is therefore half that £1.15)

So 17 1/2 % is £4.60 + £2.30 + £1.15 = £8.05

chocolateoranges33 · 02/04/2021 22:30

I'm in south Englan and I only know the knuckle way. Ive even had to use it at work before!!