Toy

A method for starting a flying top comprising a flat body with at least an area nearby the center of gravity and at least one planar extension having a free end, the toy having a maximum distance r between a peripheral rim and the center of gravity, the mass m and/or the mass of inertia ω of the flat body being defined in such manner that the flat body can be laid with its area near the center of gravity onto a convex arched surface, especially onto a finger knuckle, where it can be given a fast rotatory motion ω (ω≧300 rpm) by flipping or jerking with a finger in a horizontal and tangential direction against the free end of an extension, while it receives only a slow translatory motion VT (VT<ω*r), so that its horizontal orientation is spin-stabilized and results in an air cushion carrying the flat body during its flight, the method comprising:

• a) laying the flat body with its area near the center of gravity onto a convex arched surface;
• b) imparting a fast rotory motion ω (ω≧300 rpm) to the flat body by flipping or jerking with a finger in a horizontal and tangential direction against the free end of an extension, while imparting only a slow translatory motion VT (VT<ω*r) to the flat body,
• wherein the horizontal orientation of the flat body is spin-stabilized and results in an air cushion carrying the flat body during its flight.