Hand Gestures: The Origin Stories Will Surely Surprise You

High Five

The first theory of this hand gesture reportedly occurred on October 2, 1977. At that time, Glenn Burke of the Los Angeles Dodger thrust his hand over his head to greet co-player Dusty Baker and the latter smacked it. In another theory, it was said that Derek Smith, a University of Louisville basketball player, asked for one “up high” when another player, Wiley Brown, tried to give a low five.