# Fingers Crossed

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingers-crossed/296988>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 30, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingers-crossed/296988 "2005-03-30T19:32:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingers-crossed/296988/1 "2005-03-30T19:32:40Z")

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I think I used to know the answer to this question, but I have forgotten it in my old age.

What is the origin and meaning behind crossing our fingers for good luck and also when crossing them when making false promises?

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**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingers-crossed/296988/2 "2005-03-30T23:33:27Z")

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It’s a version of making a sign of the cross. It signifies a cross, and therefore represents petition to a higher power. Similarly, “knock on wood” refers to that same symbol - the wooden cross. xo C.

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**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingers-crossed/296988/3 "2005-03-30T23:36:09Z")

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oops. As short and simple as your post was, I didn’t read it carefully. I don’t know why we cross our fingers to somehow make a lie less serious or intense. But I’m pretty sure of the first part of my answer. xo C.

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**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingers-crossed/296988/4 "2005-03-31T00:39:01Z")

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Re: crossing your fingers when making a false promise.

The idea is that you are seeking forgiveness for lying. Of course, seeking forgiveness for making an empty promise while you’re making it is kinda pointless, IMHO.

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**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingers-crossed/296988/5 "2005-03-31T04:08:53Z")

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Thanks guys! 🙂