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:
“I married a miner myself. I had ten children. I’ve got seven now; thirty-one grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. And I’m happy to say not a one’s ever crossed a picket line.”
—Florence Reese (c. 1900–?)
“Play not with paradoxes. That caustic which you handle in order to scorch others may happen to sear your own fingers and make them dead to the quality of things.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)