\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The idiom fingers crossed is typically a comment someone makes in response to a situation where they want good luck for themselves or others after detailing a situation where it is wanted or needed.. [6][4], It has to be with the index and middle finger. Opie and Tatem, 1989: 109;Morris, 1979: 1524;Opie and Opie, 1959: 1225, 14253, 21117. This emoji was previously displayed with an additional finger on Samsung devices. This saying comes from an ancient superstition that making the sign of the cross will avert bad luck. There are two main theories regarding the origins of finger-crossing for luck. To create the shape was to ward off any spirits that meant harm and to help keep one safe. We hope you enjoy this website. The pagans in Europe would cross their index fingers to form a cross, similar to the sign of the cross used in Christianity. Web(Definition of keep your fingers crossed from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary Cambridge University Press) Browse keep your eye in idiom keep your eye on the ball There are two primary theories on how crossing fingers came to be a symbol of good luck. Despite breaking one of Gods commandments, Christians are believed to have made the cross symbol using their fingers in order to keep Gods wrath at bay. 1 . The pagan religions believed this sign was a Therefore, once two people made the Cross, they could make a wish, and the spirits would favour them. They were persecuted for being Christian, and this was their way of acknowledging each other. This emoji was previously displayed with an additional finger on Samsung devices. Maybe they have a test coming up, or theyre sending good vibes your way. Its too soon to get excited, but keep your fingers crossed. In South Africa, Afrikaans speakers also have the related phrase "duim vashou" meaning "holding thumbs tightly". crossed fingers Alternative forms . 2 . We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Its too soon to get excited, but keep your fingers crossed. It is rumoured to have developed in the 14th century (during the war) when soldiers needed luck and could not cross fingers with another soldier. For example, you could say, Im going in for that interview I told you about; fingers crossed for me!, That client said he was going to sign for a million dollars. WebThe phrase fingers crossed comes from the physical act of crossing ones middle finger over ones index finger, signifying ones hope for good luck. Your email address will not be published. Believing in luck makes us do such things, for instance some people wear lucky charms during their exams or an important interview which they wish to crack, some wear a particular color outfit on Thursdays. Occasionally, even children will cross their fingers behind their backs in an attempt to invalidate a promise or to tell a white lie. The earliest use of the gesture had two people crossing their index fingers in order to form a cross. In German-speaking countries and also Sweden and Latvia the gesture is a sign of lying. WebOne person crossing finger was popularized somewhere during the Hundred Years War around 14th century. Holding your crossed fingers near your face or shoulders means you are hoping for or wishing good luck. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Given its ubiquity in this country, it is surprising to find that the earliest reference found by Opie and Tatem only dated from 1912 (Leather, 1912: 88), where it is already linked to the ladder superstition. (of a check) marked for deposit only as indicated by having two lines drawn across it. You could use it at the office when youre telling someone that you have your fingers crossed that the client signs the deal. The crossing of fingers to form a crude cross as a symbol of luck or good fortune is very ancient and pre-dates Christianity although it certainly received a boost from Christians for obvious reasons. The pagans believed that a cross was a symbol of good luck. Webadjective. 1 Theyre wishing for luck. Origin The act of crossing ones fingers dates back to before Christianity. Friends and family, however, can still commiserate by crossing their own fingers or at the very least saying Keep your fingers crossed.. In Vietnam the gesture is considered rude,[9][10] especially to another person. Copyright Mysticurious & Buzzle.com, Inc. Creating the cross with your fingers allowed you to make a wish in the presence of these spirits. Learn more. While people in the West cross their fingers for good luck, in some eastern cultures, like Vietnam, crossing ones fingers is considered a rude gesture. Origin of the Phrase Fingers Crossed The act of crossing fingers goes back to before Christianity. The origin of crossing fingers when lying is more confusing, but it is thought that this practice has its roots in Christianity. The first dates to a pre-Christianity Pagan belief in Western Europe in the powerful symbolism of a cross. Fingers crossed is an idiom used to express the expectation that something will happen in a good way as you want them to. http://bernd.wechner.info/Hitchhiking/Thumb/, We are human. The same gesture is used in many Slavic countries such as Poland,[11] the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and ex-Yugoslav[12] republics. Imagine this situation. Fingers crossed is an old term that most likely predates Christianity. Early Christians also used the act to show their affiliation with the faith discreetly. PRINTED FROM OXFORD REFERENCE (www.oxfordreference.com). Sign up now for weekly facts, the latest blogs, and interesting features. Your current browser may not support copying via this button. A person could now make his or her wish by merely crossing his or her index and middle fingers to make an X. fingers crossed cross one's fingers or keep one's fingers crossed: to hope for a particular or stated outcome. I hope she does well, fingers crossed., Sara just went in for the Bar exam. Crossing fingers is one of the most enduring and commonly practiced superstitions anywhere in the world. crossed fingers, fingers and toes crossed (humorous, emphatic) Etymology . The earliest use of the gesture had two people crossing their index fingers in order to form a cross. Links to Christianity The first can be traced to pagan times in Western Europe where the cross was highly accepted as a symbol of unity. - Did we make a mistake? For example: Sanna asked me to cross my fingers for her as she set off to complete the last phase of the job interview. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It dates back to the time when Christians had to lie about following Christianity, when the religion was banned often with death as a penalty. It is at this intersection where a person must anchor his or her wishes until they come true. Fingers crossed means good luck. Many historians maintain that holding thumbs originated in ancient gladiatorial contests in Rome and was the sign made by the crowd to spare life, whereas the waving of thumbs, either up or down, meant the opposite. She has a wide range of interests ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter and gardening. The pagans believed that a cross was a symbol of good luck. Maybe they have a test coming up, or theyre sending good vibes your way. [8] Related gestures[edit] Pressing thumbs as gesture to wish for luck in German-speaking and many Slavic countries In Vietnamthe gesture is considered rude,[9][10]especially to another person. The intersection was thought to mark a concentration of good spirits and served to anchor a wish until it could come true. What Does the Fingers Crossed Emoji Mean? Your email address will not be published. From: Whether its for themselves or you, the fingers crossed emoji symbolizes good luck. [1] Please tell me the test was easy A sympathetic friend or family member may cross their fingers as a way to show support for your goals or hopes. The alternate explanationcites the early days of Christianity, when practitioners were persecuted for their beliefs. A truncated version of the phrase "keep your fingers crossed." You could also make the gesture alone or say fingers crossed without making the gesture. (of a check) marked for deposit only as indicated by having two lines drawn across it. This post will help you uncover the same and also explain why this gesture is used while lying! Webkeep one's fingers crossed, to To hope for success. It is a hand gesture used widely and is referred to by the idiom keeping ones fingers crossed. Web(Definition of keep your fingers crossed from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary Cambridge University Press) Browse keep your eye in idiom keep your eye on the ball The meaning of the expression fingers crossed is to wish yourself or someone good luck. A group of historians were of the view that it has been used during the pre-Christianity Pagan belief in Western Europe. She graduated from The University of Tennessee at Martin with a BA in English, focusing in Creative Writing and minoring in Theatre. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The pagans believed that a cross was a symbol of good luck. Weve put together an easy guide to help you decipher what the fingers crossed emoji means, so keep reading to learn the whys and hows of this symbolic emoji. All emoji namesareofficial Unicode Character Databaseor CLDR names. 1 Theyre wishing for luck. The saying would only evolve in writing much later as an expression of good luck. Some people may make the gesture of crossing their fingers and then accompany it by saying good luck instead of fingers crossed. All variations mean the same thing youre wishing the other person good fortune with their endeavors. It was also believed that good spirits lived at the crosss intersection. For a good analysis of this, a visit to the following website is highly recommended. This saying comes from an ancient superstition that making the sign of the cross will avert bad luck. fingers crossed (not comparable) hopefully. See cross one's fingers. a gesture of crossed fingers used to express good luck, to expect that something will happen in the right way as desired, a hope that things will happen in the way you want them to, used to express the hope of something desired will happen, Good luck with your test tomorrow. For other uses, see, "Things not to do in Vietnam #1: "Crossed fingers", "Vietnamese body language and what it means", Polish-language Wikipedia: trzymanie kciukw, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crossed_fingers&oldid=1137425713, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 February 2023, at 16:15.