Explanation of mu is different. By dialects, differentpeoples’ languages and foreign languages, we think mu was thumb，then developed as middle finger by metonymy and big toe of feet by metaphor, and jiangzhi is the middle finger and big toe of feet. But MU doesn’t acquire the third finger of foot. This is why different meaning appears.

拇”字的解释分歧较大，通过文献的考证，方言、民族语言及其他的外语的材料证明：“拇”本为手的大指、后通过转喻用为中指，又通过隐喻指脚的大趾。“将指”为手的中指，脚的大趾。在语义发展转移中拇还没有发展为脚的中指，这也是古书注解不一的原因。

• 吴先文(安徽省合肥学院中文系) | Wu xianwen