Thumbs Up
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- For the Chinese newspaper, see Thumbs Up (newspaper). For the Indian Cola drink, see Thums Up
A Thumbs Up is a common gesture represented by a closed fist held with the thumb extended upward or downward in approval or disapproval respectively. These gestures have become metaphors in English: "My boss gave my proposal the thumbs-up" means that the boss approved the proposal, regardless of whether the gesture was made — indeed, the gesture itself is unlikely in a formal business setting.
The source of the gesture is obscure. Though a favorite of Hollywood 'swords and sandals' epics, where the "thumbs down" symbol means that the loser in a gladiatorial combat should be put to death, recent research suggests the meanings of the symbols have changed over the years. In 1997, Professor Anthony Philip Corbeill of the University of Kansas concluded that the thumbs up actually meant "Kill him," basing his assertion on a study of hundreds of ancient artworks. Thus, the "thumbs up" was an approval of the gladiator's request to kill his vanquished foe rather than a vote to allow the defeated to remain alive. Corbeill wrote that a closed fist with a wraparound thumb was the indication for a gladiator's life to be spared.
In Latin, the "thumbs up" gesture is called pollice recto, "thumbs down" is pollice verso. It is not certain that the contemporary gestures are identical to the gestures performed in ancient Rome. The current version was popularized by a widely reproduced academic painting by the 19th century artist Jean-Léon Gérôme, whose Pollice Verso depicts a triumphant gladiator standing over a fallen foe, looking up into the stands for the verdict of the crowd.
Additionally, Desmond Morris' Gestures: Their Origins and Distribution traces the practice back to a medieval custom used to seal business transactions. Over time, the mere sight of an upraised thumb came to symbolize harmony and kind feelings.
During World War II, pilots on U.S. aircraft carriers adopted the thumbs up to alert the deck crew that they were ready to go and that the wheel blocks could be removed.
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[edit] The gesture internationally
The gesture's popularization in America is generally attributed to the practices of World War II pilots, who used the thumbs up to communicate with ground crews prior to take-off. This may have originated with the China-based Flying Tigers, who were among the first American flyers involved in WWII. The appreciative Chinese would say "Ding Hao" meaning "very good" and gesture with a thumbs up, which in Chinese means "you're number one." It is often a sign of respect when higher figures of chinese police is concerned. Any person from China will recognize this numerical gesture, and it can be seen in movies and photos of the era, though this has not been verified in print by AVG pilots. American GIs are reputed to have picked up on the thumb and spread it throughout Europe as they marched toward Berlin." [1] Combat pilots in the US and around the world still use this gesture.
According to Luís da Câmara Cascudo [1], Brazilians have adopted the "thumbs up" from watching American pilots based in northern Brazil during World War II.
"'Thumbs up' traditionally translates as the foulest of Middle-Eastern gesticular insults — the most straightforward interpretation is 'Up yours, pal!' The sign has a similarly pejorative meaning in parts of West Africa, South America, Russia, Iran, Greece, and Sardinia, according to Roger E. Axtell's book Gestures: The Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World." [2]
In the UK, specifically north-west England, a single handed thumbs up sign can be used as a farewell or greetings gesture between young males. In situations where acquaintances may see each other briefly and unexpectedly, but are unable to communicate otherwise (e.g. whilst driving past one another, or through a glass window) the thumbs up signifies a gesture of recognition. It is also often used as a replacement for a more traditional ‘wave’ goodbye when parting from one another. A less common variation is the use of a brief two handed thumbs up gesture made close to the body.
The thumbs up also took off in Belgium in 1976, when in February one of the members of parliament had fallen over. When he got up he gave the thumbs up so people started using it from then on.[citation needed]
Arthur Fonzarelli, from the TV show Happy Days, often coupled the phrase "hey" with the thumbs up.
"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan of WWE fame is well known for his goofy grin, a 2x4 and big thumbs up.
[edit] The gesture in specific contexts
More recently, these gestures are associated with movie reviews, having been popularized by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert on their televised review show Siskel & Ebert — the thumb up meaning a positive opinion of a film; the thumb down meaning a negative one. After Siskel's death, the show (renamed Ebert & Roeper) continued the practice. The phrase "two thumbs up", originally meaning a positive review from both reviewers, has come to be used as an indication of very high quality or unanimity of praise.
Hitchhikers traditionally use a thumbs up gesture to solicit rides from oncoming vehicles, although in this presentation the arm is generally outstretched with the palm and closed fingers facing the motorist.
Supporters of Texas A&M University athletic teams use the thumbs-up sign, associated with the cheer, "Gig 'em, Aggies."
In scuba diving, the thumbs-up gesture is a specific diving signal given underwater, in which the diver indicates he is about to stop his dive and ascend. This occasionally causes confusion in new divers, who might automatically gesture thumbs-up when trying to indicate approval — actually indicating a desire to stop diving and to ascend.
In basketball, when a held ball occurs, an official will jerk both thumbs in the air, signalling that a jump ball is in order.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ Toledo, Roberto Pompeu de (March 14), "Uma paixão dos brasileiro´s", Veja Magazine (no. 1999): 110
