24 Strange Origins of Our Most Common Customs and Traditions

Being some dude’s Best Man used to be pretty barbaric
24 Strange Origins of Our Most Common Customs and Traditions
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We have so many quirky little societal norms but we rarely stop to think about how they started. While leaving the fact-hunter meeting this morning, we stopped and wondered when the very first handshake went down — and up, and then down and up again.

High-fives too, for that matter. Yeah, we high-five after meetings cus we’re cool like that. Anywho, we got on the hunt for many more great origin stories and found out a ton of cool stuff. 

Dang, the coolness just don’t quit around here!

Saying Merry Christmas

Saying Merry Christmas D merry Christory CRACKED.COM The phrase dates back at least to London, 1534, in a letter between Henry VIII's chief minister and a bishop. It became more prevalent with the 1843 publication of A Christmas Carol.

21 Years Old

custom: Adult at 21 years old origins: Old enough to wear armor. details: In medieval times, a man was considered adult when his body could bear the weight of armor. Plus, multiples of 7 were considered divine at that time. So boys could become pages at 7, squires at 14, and knights at 21. CRACKED.COM

Tossing the Garter

custom: Tossing the Garter origins: To protect the bride's gown. details: In the 14th century, it was traditional to consummate the marriage while guests waited. As the couple made their way to the bedroom, guests would tear off some of the fabric from the bride's gown, for good luck. It'd wind up shredded. CRACKED.COM

Driving on the Right

custom: Driving on the Right origins: Was for shooting while driving. NORTH details: It started with walking, and continued with covered wagons. Travelers would hold their guns in the crook of their left arms, and stay to the right of the road or path so they could keep their weapons trained on oncoming traffic. CRACKED.COM

Shaking Hands

SHAKING HANDS The handshake was first popularized in America by the Quakers, replacing the bow with the gesture that could be offered to everyone equally. CRACKED.COM

Mistletoe

Kissing Under the Mistletoe CRACKED.COM Ancient Greeks might have started the tradition within their celebration of the winter festival Kronia.

Bridesmaids

BRIDESMAIDS Bridesmaids wore similar dresses to the bride in order to trick any evil spirit who may attempt to curse the bride. CRACKED.COM

Bunny Ears

GIVING BUNNY EARS The cuckold's horns gesture derives from the Middle Ages, where the symbol was used to mock a man whose wife had cheated. CRACKED.COM

High-Fiving

HIGH-FIVING 76 open 12 On Oct. 2, 1977, Glenn Burke, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, reached his hand up to his teammate, Dusty Baker, who had just made a home run. Baker slapped it. The first recorded high-five. CRACKED.COM

‘Bless You’

SAYING BLESS YOU AFTER A SNEEZE Bless you dates back to 77 С.Е., when sneezes were considered a sign of health. That changed when it was a symptom of the bubonic plague. Pope Gregory I encouraged people to say God bless you in hopes it would ward off death. CRACKED.COM

Pinky Swearing

PINKY SWEARING Pinky swearing may be derived from yubikiri, literally finger-cutting, which is a promise if broken, can result in having your finger cut off. CRACKED.COM

Making A Wish

MAKING A WISH BEFORE BLOWING OUT CANDLES Ancient cultures believed smoke brought prayers to the heavens. CRACKED.COM

Wrapping Paper

WRAPPING PAPER In 1917, the standard wrapping was tissue paper, but when Hallmark sold out, they started selling envelope lining paper instead. It was an instant hit, and by 1919, they manufactured specific gift wrapping paper. CRACKED.COM

Crossing Fingers While Lying

CROSSING FINGERS WHILE LYING Christians were believed to cross their fingers to absolve themselves of the lies they told their persecutors. CRACKED.COM

The Best Man

THE BEST MAN A German Goth tradition, the best man was the best swordsman who could assist the groom with kidnapping the bride if the family disapproved. CRACKED.COM

Covering Your Mouth

COVERING YOUR MOUTH WHILE YAWNING الله Ancient cultures believed yawning left you vulnerable to evil spirits entering through your mouth. CRACKED.COM

Kissing

KISSING The first evidence of kissing is in the Hindu Vedic Sanskrit texts that describe kissing as soul inhaling. Researchers believe kissing serves as a culturally acceptable way for people to get close enough to another to detect their pheromones to tell if they are a good mate. CRACKED.COM

Encores!

EMANDING ENCORES Back in the Baroque days, audiences would demand that musicians, mid-song, replay sections that they enjoyed. CRACKED.COM

Crossing Your Fingers

CROSSING FINGERS FOR LUCK Crossing fingers with another person was an ancient pagan custom to catch good luck. CRACKED.COM

The Ring Finger

THE RING FINGER Ancient Egyptians believed a vein ran directly from the fourth finger to the heart, which is why we wear the wedding finger there. CRACKED.COM

Teeth Brushing

TEETH BRUSHING Ancient civilizations used chew sticks (a twig with a frayed end) since 3000 В.С. China invented the a bristle toothbrush, using hog's hair and bone or bamboo, in 1498. CRACKED.COM

The Thumbs Up

GIVING A THUMBS UP It's believed the positive gesture derives from English archers in the Middle Ages. The thumbs up was the correct brace height of the longbow, indicating that everything was good to go. CRACKED.COM

Painting Nails

PAINTING NAILS The custom first started with warriors going off to battle in Babylonia in 3200 В.С., with the color signifying their class. CRACKED.COM

Standing Ovations

STANDING OVATION Ovations come from Ancient Rome, when they celebrated victorious military figures. However, this was a step below the greater honor of the triumph. CRACKED.COM

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