Glad You Asked: Button on the correct side.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Jeff Elder

Q: Why do women's blouses have buttons on the left while men's shirts have buttons on the right? _ John Lilley

A: Let's see. Because that mirror image helps couples undress each other faster? Because that way spouses can push each other's buttons harder?

Actually, the reason goes back in time a little.

Most people are right-handed, so it's easier for them to move buttons on the right through holes on the left. So putting buttons on the right helped men get dressed. This also enabled men to unbutton their coats with their left hand while drawing their swords with their right.

(This swordplay stuff pops up in …