A common interaction at the Snyder house:

"JACK, STOP CRACKING YOUR KNUCKLES!"

"Sorry, dad, I wasn't thinking about it."

I've been cracking my knuckles as a bad habit since the fourth grade. I'm not sure how it started, but I'm sure it was the cool thing to do at the time.

Since then, I unconsciously do it all the time. I really have no reason for doing it. I've tried to stop doing it many times; I even gave it up for Lent once. Still, time after time I forget and do it out of habit.

Most people in the world would say they have some minor bad habits. Many people have tried to stop, but it isn't a big enough deal to actually try and stop seriously. It either isn't a big enough deal, or it is just an unconscious habit.

In my case, I've observed that I crack my knuckles more when I'm nervous,when I'm extremely bored, or when I'm thinking. However, those may be the only times that I notice. Really, I crack them all the time.

One time a teacher told a student, "[Cracking your knuckles] will give your arthritis." Well, teacher, according to all-powerful Wikipedia you are wrong. According to the article Wikipedia, you may increase your chance of joint problems, but there is no link to arthritis.

Overall I think cracking my knuckles has had no effect on my life. But still, the noise irritates some people, so I try to stop. I guess I could see how listening to tendons snapping could gross some people out.

So, yes, I am trying to stop again. Also, I will probably not be able to stop. I wonder if there is a Knuckle Crackers Anonymous.