Why do some men have one really long fingernail?

I know many guitarists who grow out a longer fingernail as an organic pick.

Guitar.

I had a friend in high school that grew out the nail on his pinky. He also played the guitar. I never asked him why he did that and I guess I just found out why he did. I just thought he was weird.

From Urban Dictionary :

“One fingernail, usually the pinky, allowed to grow long and used to snort cocaine out of.”

Long pinky nails are often associated with cocaine. I have also heard that chinese will often have a long fingernail to show as a sign of wealth. ie they dont have to do hard labor.

Yeah, cocaine is what I know it to be for as well. I the book “Scar Tissue” Anthony Kiedis he describes his father is a cocaine dealer with a a finger for every activity. His pinky for cocaine lines, and his middle finger cut extra short for, well…the ladies.

In college I knew a young guy who kept his pinkie finger nail long for use as a roach clip.

I always thought men grew out one nail to pick their nose…

My grandfather keeps a long fingernail to use it as a tool. I’ve seen him screw things in with it. Kind of freaky and useful at the same time—but he is quite the renaissance man.

im a guitar player too, but an electric, i use both hands on the neck (tapping etc.) so i keep mine realy short, i wonder how a long pinky nail would help with fingerpicking

whoha! May be removed too, but me thinks the coke nail LOL

I thought it was for blow, as in to signify the status as drug dealer. I’ve also seen Asian gangsters sporting this look. What I am totally thrown off by is C. Everett Koop’s nails. This isn’t the best video but pay attention to his right thumbnail. The Ali G. episode, featuring this former surgeon general shows them up close. What is the meaning of this?

See I would think drugs too but this guy worked in a bank – surely that’s too obvious?

Maybe on his off time? Times are tough. People need two jobs to stay afloat.

I don’t think a single pinky is for Spanish guitar, but who knows.

I highly doubt a long pinky nail is beneficial in guitar playing. From all that I’ve seen and read it’s a drug thing.