The fist bump greeting performed with vertically-oriented fists
The fist bump (also called a knudge, fist pound, fist kiss, bounce, fist love, knuckle bump, knuckles, pound it, poundage, respect knuckles, knuckle knock, bones, the rock, spud, giving props, terrorist fist jab (as created by Fox News) or the get some among other names) is a type of friendly gesture similar in meaning to a handshake or a high five or nose rub. A bump also can be known as a symbol of giving of respect. Fist bumps can also be followed by various other hand and body gestures, and may be part of a dap greeting. The fist bump may also be the progenitor of the elbow bump.
The gesture is performed when two participants each form a closed fist with one of their hands and then lightly tap the front of their fists together. The participants' fists may be either vertically-oriented (perpendicular to the ground) or horizontally-oriented. Unlike the standard handshake, which is typically performed only with each participants' right hand, a fist bump may be comfortably performed using the left hand of one participant and the right hand of another, which is convenient if one's right hand is holding an item or otherwise preoccupied. When a fist bump is initiated, it is considered rude to intentionally use too much strength when bumping one's fist against another's (to punch the other's fist) in an attempt to cause pain, similarly to squeezing one's hand too hard during a standard handshake.
History
Time magazine wonders if it evolved from the handshake and the high-five. They cite knuckle bumping in the 1970s with NBA player Baltimore Bullets guard Fred Carter. Others claim the Wonder Twins, minor characters in the 1970s Hanna-Barbera superhero cartoon Super Friends, who touched knuckles and cried "Wonder Twin powers, activate!" were the originators.1 However, the "fist bump" or "pound" can easily be traced as far back as the late 1960s and early 1970s to urban black youth. 2
| “ |
"The Dap includes simple to very intricate series of rhythmic hand slaps, clasps, hand and arm gestures exchanged between two persons as a sign of personal greeting, respect and group solidarity. Has origin in greetings developed and practiced by members of Black Power organizations founded in southern California in the early 1970s and then became common place and outlawed practice among African-American draftees and soldiers stateside and abroad during the latter years of the Vietnam War." 2 |
” |
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls may have helped popularize the fist bump in the early 1990s. Jordan started a ritual in which he would go to the announcer table before every game and cover his hands with the talcum powder (he would even clap his hands thus releasing a powdery mist on the announcers, something LeBron James would later emulate). Since his hands were now prepared to grip the ball properly he didn't want to shake hands with anyone to have that powder removed. Jordan extended his hand in a "Fist Bump" fashion to all the opponents on the court prior to the opening of the game, starting a new trend.citation needed
On 3 June 2008 Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama fist-bumped during a televised presidential campaign speech in St. Paul, Minnesota. Fox News host E.D. Hill, in a "tease" for an unrelated story, called the gesture by the Obamas a "terrorist fist jab", and the gesture became known as "The Fist Bump heard 'Round the World".3
Other instances
- Howie Mandel, host of Deal or No Deal in the US and Canada, uses the fist bump as an alternative to shaking hands. He is bothered by shaking hands because it can spread germs.1
- Ali G, the character, performed by Sasha Baron Cohen uses the fist bump as a greeting and sign off with a guest.
- Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, leaders of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (aka TAPS) and stars of Ghost Hunters on the SciFi channel, share a fist bump at the end of many episodes of their TV series.
- The pound, referred to as the fist bump, was featured in the 2007 Bud Light Super Bowl commercial.4
- During the first opening sequence of Naruto, Naruto and Sasuke are seen doing the fist pound to show that even though in the show they are portrayed as rivals, they are also friends and have a deep, mutual respect for each othercitation needed.*In the sport of Mixed martial arts, the fist pound among two fighters before or during a fight is a gesture of respect and to acknowledge an appreciation for their opponent's skills.citation needed
- The March 7th, 2008 Penny-Arcade web-comic strip features fist bumping in reference to the video game Army of Two.5
- In ice hockey, after a player celebrates scoring a goal with his teammates on the ice, the player typically skates by his bench, fist bumping each of his teammates as he glides from one end of the bench to the other.citation needed (An exception to this is if the player scores the game winning goal in overtime as all the teammates scurry onto the ice towards the player and embrace him.)citation needed
- Every Fast Money on CNBC episode is ended with the hosts fist bumping each others as the show fades out.
- Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler often fist bumped at the completion of Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update".
- The hosts of The Totally Rad Show fist bump after each segment.
References
Further reading
|
