Fist bumps, waves, and salutes

The peace sign doesn't mean what you think! A guide to hand gestures

Image: Calvin Craig

Hand gestures are everywhere—so ingrained in our daily lives that we often don’t realize how frequently we communicate through them. Whether expressing emotions, adding context to our words, or simply enhancing spoken communication, gestures are a vital part of our shared culture, passed down through generations for centuries. From ancient Rome to the modern day, here are 12 hand gestures and their fascinating origins explained.

Image: Mark Fuller

The exact origins of the thumbs-up gesture remain uncertain, but its earliest documented use dates back to Roman gladiators, where a thumbs-up or thumbs-down was believed to signal life or death in the arena. Today, the gesture is nearly universal, thanks to its popularization through media, travel, and even emojis. However, it carries offensive meanings in certain cultures, and for divers, it signifies "ascend," rather than approval—so context matters!

Image: Nathan Fertig

Believe it or not, the V sign originally began as an insulting gesture, though with the back of the hand facing outward. A more positive meaning, however, was popularized during World War II when Winston Churchill used it as a "V for Victory" symbol. The double-entendre of the gesture likely added to its appeal—flipping the hand’s orientation easily turned it into a mocking snub toward the enemy. In the 1960s, the gesture took on new meaning during the counterculture movements, evolving into an enduring symbol of peace.

Image: Rainier Ridao

The wave as a friendly greeting traces back to medieval times when knights raised their visors to show they meant no harm. Its simplicity and universal appeal have made it a common gesture worldwide, transcending language barriers. However, in some countries like Nigeria and South Korea, certain types of waving can still carry offensive connotations.

Image: Amina Atar

The handshake might be one of the oldest hand gestures on this list, so it’s hard to be sure of its origins. Yet, there is evidence that it was already in use 3,000 years ago, as a way to seal alliances. In ancient Greece it was called dexiosis, and was practised as early as the 5th century BC. While the gesture is found in many cultures, the specifics as to when and how it should be used vary significantly.

Image: José Martín Ramírez Carrasco

Pointing likely originated as a practical gesture to indicate objects or directions, making it one of humanity's oldest forms of communication. Fascinatingly, it is the first communicative gesture to develop in human infants, and linguists believe it plays a crucial role in language acquisition. However, despite its universal utility, many cultures consider pointing at other people with the index finger to be rude or disrespectful.

Image: sydney Rae

The military salute, like the wave, originates in the medieval practice of knights raising their helmets as a gesture of recognition and peaceful intentions. By the 18th century, it had evolved into a formal military custom to signify respect and camaraderie. Today, variations of the salute can be seen across armed forces worldwide, each adapted to reflect the unique traditions and protocols of different nations.

Image: Vince Fleming

While the phrase "give me five" was already slang for a type of handshake, the high five most likely evolved from the "low five," a gesture rooted in African-American culture since the 1920s. The first documented use of the high five occurred in 1977, credited to Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It quickly became associated with sports, symbolizing shared triumphs and camaraderie.

Image: Alexis Fauvet

The fist bump can trace its origins to boxers who were instructed to touch gloves at the start of a contest. However, its popularization is a relatively recent phenomenon, gaining traction in sports and youth culture during the 1990s as a more casual alternative to the handshake. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the fist bump became a common greeting, as shaking hands was discouraged to help slow the spread of the virus.

Image: Guillermo Latorre

While the origins of clapping as a form of applause are difficult to pinpoint, it is a common practice in many cultures. One of its earliest documented uses dates back to ancient Roman theater, where audiences clapped or waved pieces of cloth to express approval for performances. The percussive sound of clapping has also found its place in music, particularly in genres like funk, gospel, doo-wop, and flamenco.

Image: Igor Omilaev

The "OK" gesture, made by forming a circle with the thumb and index finger, became popular in 19th-century America as a symbol for "all correct." However, its origins trace back to classical antiquity, where a thumb and forefinger touching was thought to mimic kissing lips, often used as a romantic gesture. It wasn’t until Roman rhetoricians began using it during public speeches that the gesture gained its modern connotation of approval or assent.

Image: Dayne Topkin

The crossed fingers gesture, often used to wish for luck, has its origins in ancient Christianity, where it was likely adopted for its resemblance to the Cross of Christ. Over time, it also became associated with telling lies, especially among children who use it as an excuse for telling a white lie or invalidating a promise.

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

Though likely as old as human frustration itself, the facepalm gesture became globally famous through internet memes, becoming a shorthand for disappointment or exasperation in both real life and online. Surprisingly, it’s not exclusive to humans—primates have been observed using similar gestures to signal a desire for solitude or to avoid social interaction.

Decoding

Being a "treasured guest" is not a compliment. This is the hidden meaning

Have you ever heard "Code Adam" while shopping for groceries at Walmart? Or maybe you’ve heard how "Dr. Firestone" was being paged during a routine hospital visit. They sound like harmless announcements. But behind these ordinary words are secret codes staff use to signal emergencies without causing panic. From hospitals and supermarkets to airports and Disney Parks, these phrases quietly warn employees that something is happening. You hope you never hear them, but if you do, it helps to know exactly what they mean.

We all love getting special attention at airports or hotel desks, but if you hear the clerk call you a "treasured guest," don’t feel so flattered. You may not be as VIP as one could think.

In the hospitality industry, "treasured guest" has become a humorous bit of industry folklore to describe someone causing trouble. Maybe a customer yelling at staff over expired coupons, demanding impossible accommodations, or throwing a full-blown tantrum at the front desk. Whatever it is, the phrase has become the staff’s secret way to warn co-workers without escalating the situation in front of the customers. Most guests don’t realize the meaning, but once you know it, you may start hearing it more often. We just hope it’s not about you.

Imagine you’re pushing a shopping cart through Walmart when suddenly the overhead speaker announces, "Code Adam." You can easily assume it’s some kind of employee meeting or cleanup request. But when you see them start locking the exits and moving around, you know something’s wrong.

This code was created in 1994 by Walmart in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), in memory of the tragic case of 6-year-old Adam Walsh. Adam was abducted from a Sears department store in 1981 while shopping with his mother. His father, John Walsh, later became famous for hosting the TV program America’s Most Wanted and advocating for missing children. Even if Adam’s story ended in tragedy, Walmart created the emergency system in Adam’s memory, and other retailers soon adopted it nationwide, intending to have a quick response to missing or abducted children.

You’re sitting in a hospital waiting room during a routine check-up when you suddenly hear "Code Blue, Room 214." Most people immediately know it sounds serious, even if they are not entirely sure why.

The phrase "Code Blue" is used at hospitals to draw the necessary staff and equipment to perform a resuscitation. It was created in the early 1960s at Beathany Medical Center by Dr. Hughes Day. Before then, hospital resuscitations were often chaotic and poorly coordinated. In 1961, Dr. Day received a grant to build one of America’s first cardiac care centers, and he developed both the Code Blue alert system and the modern crash cart to improve survival rates during cardiac emergencies. Today, the system is used in hospitals across the country, sometimes with specialized versions like "Code Blue Pediatric" or "Code Blue Neonate."

Imagine visiting a loved one in the hospital when the intercom calmly announces, "Paging Dr. Firectone to the third floor." Your head surely goes, "Dr. Firestone’s probably having a busy day up there." He is, but it’s not what you think.

The phrase is actually a discreet fire alert used to warn staff about smoke, flames, or overheating equipment without frightening patients and visitors. Hospitals adopted these coded announcements after realizing that openly yelling "fire" over loudspeakers could create panic, especially among patients who aren’t able to move quickly. "Code Red" is an alternative used by many health centers today, but it also hints at the situation while keeping hallways calm.

You’re standing at a checkout counter when the cashier picks up the phone and quietly says, "I need a Code 10 authorization." If you think that’s just another way to get a supervisor’s approval or technical issue, think again. In reality, the cashier may suspect the credit card is stolen or fraudulent.

Code 10 was developed through a cooperative effort between major credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard, along with international standard organizations. As credit cards became more common in the 1960s and 1970s, stores needed a discreet way to alert banks about suspicious activity without directly accusing customers and potentially putting employees at danger. When a cashier requests a Code 10, the bank’s operator begins asking yes-or-no questions to assess the situation and guide the employee on what to do next.

You’ve probably experienced those long airport security lines. The wait is usually uneventful. But sometimes, you can hear "Code Bravo" over the speakers. Maybe it’s a delay, or maybe it’s an issue with luggage. Within seconds, people stop moving, the security line freezes, and exits may even close. It’s something bigger.

Code Bravo is the emergency phrase used by airport security and the Transportation Security Administration to signal a serious security threat, such as an unattended bag, a breach at a checkpoint, or someone slipping into a restricted area. The term comes from the international phonetic alphabet used in aviation and military communications, where "Bravo" represents the letter B. When this is called, security staff immediately lock down affected areas, stop screening lines, and search for the source of the threat. To passengers, it’s sudden and confusing, but to security, it’s a carefully rehearsed response.

You are heading back to your cabin on a cruise ship when the speakers announce, "Code Alpha, Deck 7." You may think Alpha is related to the captain, but that’s not the case. It means someone on board is suffering a medical emergency.

The phrase comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet, where "Alpha" represents the letter A. In maritime emergency jargon, it became shorthand for a Priority A medical situation requiring immediate response. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line commonly use the term, though some ships use variations like repeating "Alpha" three times. Once the code is announced, onboard medical teams rush toward the specified deck or cabin. If necessary, stretcher crews are mobilized, and in severe cases, the ship may even divert course toward the nearest port for emergency evacuation. Passengers are enjoying the views, but the staff is running to save a life.

Anyone who remembers the CB radio craze of the 1970s probably smiles when they hear "10-4." Movies, truckers, and radio fans turned those number codes into a part of American culture. So if you overhear "10-33" on a police scanner, you might assume it’s just another routine message. But it’s not as simple as it sounds.

The 10-code system was first created in 1937 by Illinois State Police communications director Charles Hopper and later standardized by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, better known as APCO. Officers needed short phrases they could understand clearly over crackling radio signals. The 10-33 code commonly means an officer needs emergency assistance. In some departments, it also signals radio silence so dispatchers can focus on the crisis unfolding in real time.

Disney World is amazing, the parks offer something for everyone, and there are things to see wherever you look. But that’s exactly the kind of place where a child can easily disappear into a sea of strollers, balloons, characters, and crowds. For that reason, Disney has developed the "Signal 70," which alerts cast members and security that a child has become separated from their family.

The number comes from older police and emergency radio systems, where "70" was commonly associated with missing persons. Disney adopted the phrase because it allows employees to communicate discreetly without frightening or alarming nearby guests. If a member finds the child, they gently -and magically- escort them to Baby Care Center, where they coordinate the reunion.

Cruises are great to relax, enjoying a good book under the sun with a nice drink by the side. Until you hear "Echo, echo, echo" on the speakers. If you do, something is happening somewhere else on the ship.

The code is used among cruise employees to signal that dangerous winds or a navigational hazard are affecting the ship. It comes from the international maritime phonetic alphabet, where "Echo" stands for the letter E. In maritime signalling, the letter traditionally means "I am altering my course to starboard." And, in time, the phrase became associated with urgent ship maneuvers and weather-related warnings. However urgent, the repetition of the word by three doesn’t represent life-threatening situations. It alerts the crew of a certain hazard to prepare while avoiding panic among passengers.