ORIGINS
By Kandase
@Kandae11 (57231)
January 16, 2017 9:34am CST
This crossed my mind after reading and commenting on a discussion by @ClaireLouiser(475) titled "Has anyone annoyed you today?" . My comment was "Not yet, but I am keeping my fingers crossed".
Then I was struck by the thought - where did that really originate from - keeping one's fingers crossed? I grew up hearing these sayings e.g. "knock on wood", and I have repeated them on countless occasions without really thinking of their origins.
8 people like this
10 responses
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
16 Jan 17
I've been saying that all my life too so I looked it up...two answers one was it was a pre-Christianity Pagan belief in Europe somehow believing crossing your fingers was keeping the good spirits around to anchor your wish until it was granted. The Christian reason or explanation was a bit more complicated and I liked the pagan ides better..
3 people like this
@jhechorain (1198)
• Susanville, California
16 Jan 17
So many little slang sayings like that these days. I'm sure the internet has all of the answers for that. 
1 person likes this
@jhechorain (1198)
• Susanville, California
16 Jan 17
Then you will have a lot of topics for discussions. 
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
16 Jan 17
I am not sure of the origin. They are fun to learn.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
18 Jan 17
well, we Filipinos have many beliefs and practices like what you mentioned here, like knocking on wood and crossing fingers.
1 person likes this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
16 Jan 17
From days when we were cold and huddled in the dark? Tightening one fingers help to give us a sense of control?
1 person likes this
@Clairelouiser (683)
• United Kingdom
17 Jan 17
Things like that fascinate me, I love knowing where strange sayings come from!
1 person likes this
