Snap (fingers)
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Snapping ("clicking one's fingers") is the act of creating a cracking/clicking sound with one's fingers by building tension between the thumb and the middle or index finger, and then moving the middle or index finger so it hits the palm of one's hand at a high speed.
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[edit] The sound
The sound of the snap is created by the result of one of the fingers coming into contact with the groove between a second finger and the palm, thus forcing the air out with an audible crack. Traditionally, the snap is made by creating tension on the middle finger with the thumb, releasing the tension and sending the finger down faster than it would go normally, resulting in a sound from the contact with the hand. However, the snapping sound can also be produced by simply slapping your middle finger fast enough onto your palm, without the presence of the thumb.
[edit] Biomechanics of finger snapping
Fingers move by the movement of thin tendons. Tendons reside in fluid between the muscle and bone. The tendons that work in snapping are located in the upper and mid wrist and hand and fingers. When the muscles in the wrist and hand and bottom of the fingers contract and the muscles on top of the finger extend. it pulls the middle finger towards the palm of your hand. By placing your thumb underneath and pulling it out from underneath at the same time it allows all of the kinetic energy in the finger to be released hitting the palm of your hand making the popping noise that is called snapping.
[edit] More Plausible Explanation
Stick your thumb in a coke bottle and "pop" it out. Clap your hands when flat and then when cupped (much louder). The majority of the sound is from the rapid change in air compression. In the case of the fingers, the air pocket made by the lower 2 fingers when rapidly struck by the releasing middle finger. Others can "snap" their fingers by actually using the thumb with other fingers in a fist (like the coke bottle above) Another example is the "pop" made by rapidly pulling your tongue from the roof of your mouth.
[edit] Giving a "Round of Snaps"
In the 1950s and '60s, it was de riguer for groups students at, among other places, Dartmouth College, to give a "round of snaps" as a "cool" form of applause or approval for a job well done. This tradition was probably a reflection of the popularity of jazz and beat generation musicians and their audiences snapping fingers to the rhythm of the music. Group finger snapping as a "hip" or "in" alternative to hand clapping remains popular among older generations of Dartmouth alumni.
