Re: Fingers Crossed

Posted by Roland Bembridge on May 29, 2000

In Reply to: Fingers Crossed posted by Andrew Brand on May 29, 2000

: I urgently require the origin of the phrase "fingers crossed". The meaning is universally accepted as being wishing good luck, but so far I have had absolutely no luck in ascertaining the origin.
: Any clues, anybody?

Originally forming the fingers in a cross like shape to ward off evil. Much like present day believers in ghosts and such like detritus of the mind favor garlic, the blessing of priests and, of course, the cross (held high and to the front) being the accepted means to dispel such things. Alas simply crossing the fingers appears to have lost some of it's power - perhaps because most anybody can do it at a moments notice.