One-third of the world's population has second toes that are longer than their big toes, according to a fitness expert who has devoted 10 years to studying myths and cultural beliefs surrounding the trait.
"Early civilizations believed that those who had longer second toes were gifted and had a special calling," said physical fitness expert Ronald Chappell of Miami."Greek philosophers went so far as to designate a person's place in society by the toe's length," he said.
Chappell said his mother motivated his research by instilling him with a sense of pride in the genetic characteristic, which he shares with Marilyn Monroe, Sean Connery and Michelangelo's David.
Chappel, who collects photographs and other paraphernalia that make reference to people with elongated second toes, said works of art pre-dating 2000 BC often depict humans with longer second toes.
In fact, many archaeologists can distinguish between an original Greek piece and a Roman copy by simply checking for the longer second toe, he said.
Chappell said King Henry VIII chose his friends by the length of their feet, especially the toes, possibly giving rise to the expression "to be on a good footing" with someone.
The physical distinction, known medically as Morton's Foot, is regarded positively in every country and every culture Chappell has studied, he said.
The only disadvantage to having longer second toes, especially for athletes, is soreness and callouses that result from wearing shoes designed for the other two-thirds of the population, Chappell said.