Crossed fingers

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To cross one's fingers is a hand gesture used to wish for good luck or to nullify a promise.

Crossing one's fingers while making a promise is considered a way to nullify that promise. This loophole is usually exploited by school-aged children when making oral promises.

Crossing one's fingers is thought to bring good luck. This dates back to when crossed fingers were used as a gesture to ward off witches and others considered to be or possess evil spirits.

The gesture originates from pre-Christian times and, in many early European cultures, two people were required to use their index fingers to form the sign, one to make a wish and the other to support it. It was believed that the cross was a symbol of unity and that benign spirits dwelt at its intersecting point -- to wish on a cross was a figurative way of securing the wish at the intersection until it came true. Over the years, the custom was modified so one person could make a wish on his/her own.

The use of crossed fingers while in IM chat is debatable, although often allowed if the other party is immediately informed.

[edit] References

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