Detachable thumb

The detachable thumb (unknown originator) is a close-up illusion.

The two stages of the detachable thumb illusion

Effect

The performer appears to remove the end of his own thumb; moving it back and forth along his hand or lifting it up.

Method

There is no particular secret to this illusion: the performer simply holds out one hand sideways with the palm out and the tip of the thumb folded down behind the hand. Then, they place their other thumb bent so that the tip appears to be connected to the folded-down thumb with the forefinger bent to cover the joint.

See also

• Thumb tip