Crossed Fingers
To cross one's fingers is a hand gesture commonly used to wish for good luck, with roots in Christian prayers for protection by invoking the shape of the cross. The gesture is referred to by the common expression "keeping one's fingers crossed" or just "fingers crossed," meaning "let's hope for a good outcome". The gesture has also been historically used in order to allow believers to recognize one another during times of persecution.
Some people, mostly children, also use the gesture to excuse their telling of a white lie. This may have its roots in the belief that the power of the Christian cross might save one from being sent to hell for telling a lie.
This gesture is also used to express two people being close friends with the accompanying phrase, "They are like this".
Read more about Crossed Fingers: Origin, Anecdotal Use
Famous quotes containing the words crossed and/or fingers:
“Twilight and evening bell.
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.”
—Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892)
“So cold, so icy that one burns one’s fingers on him! Every hand that touches him pulls away in fright!—And for that very reason, some take him to be glowing hot.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)