Why do we bite our nails?

[shkrobius]

Why is nailbiting so common? Not piking one's nose or poking one's eye, but specifically biting one's nails? It is said that 30% of kids and 45% teenagers are nailbiting. It is unlikely that it stops there. When people are stressed it provides relief, and when they get bored it provides stimulation. Most of the ideas I found are meaningles

Comments

[arbat]

Because of the vitamins under them?

[idelsong]

Дварим 21:12. То приведи ее в свой дом, и пусть обреет она свою голову и отпустит ногти свои;

букв.: сделает ногти свои. Отрастит их; чтобы она стала отвратительной (тому, кто взял ее в плен) [Сифре; Йевамот 48 а]. (Раши)

[shkrobius]

Weren't they dividied on the issue

[idelsong]

Exactly. The aristocratic R. Eliezer thought that she should cut the nails, and the plebeian R. Akiva thought the contrast. Rashi has chosen the latter.

[fe_b]

Мне на днях сказали, что грызение ногтей указывает на наличие глистов.

[shkrobius]

Spit into their eyes!