To cross one's fingers, is an apotropaic hand gesture, used to superstitiously wish for good luck or to nullify a promise.
The gesture is referred to by the common expression "fingers crossed", meaning "let's hope for a good outcome".
The 1787 Provincial Glossary of popular superstitions by Francis Grose records the recommendation to keep one's fingers crossed until one sees a dog to avert the bad luck attracted by walking under a ladder.
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