19 Weirdo Origins Of Everyday Traditions
![19 Weirdo Origins Of Everyday Traditions](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/7/6/1/746761_320x180.jpg?v=2)
Traditions we take for granted had to start somewhere. Why in the world do we do the things we do? I know, I know, you're probably thinking “some king decreed it to be so, like how everyone in Bacelona has a lisp or whatever.” And that was our first instinct, too! But this is Cracked dot com. Come on. You really think we're not going to research the weirdest shit imaginable just so 1) you have something interesting to read while shitting at work and 2) have something interesting to tell your boss around the water cooler? Ah, who're we kidding, no one goes to offices any more. Hey, maybe Cracked 2444 will talk about why we do everything via touchscreen instead of physical communication!
Anyway, even the most mundane interactions have totally weirdo origin stories. Sometimes they originated in the unlikeliest of places. Even birthday candle wishes! Here's that, plus 18 more customs' origin stories.
![STANDING VATION Ovations come from Ancient Rome, when they. celebrated victorious military figures: However, this was a step below the greater honor o](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/7/7/746677.jpg?v=2)
![PAINTING NAILS The custom first started with warriors going off to battle in Babylonia in 3200 B.C., with the color signifying their class. CRACKEDCOr](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/9/7/746697.jpg?v=2)
![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](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/7/6/746676.jpg?v=2)
![TEETH BRUSHING Ancient civilizations used chew sticks (a twig with a frayed End) since 3000 B.C. China invented the a bristle toothbrush, using hog'](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/9/8/746698.jpg?v=2)
![THE RING FINGER Ancient Egyptians believed vein a ran directly from the fourth finger to the heart, which is why we wear the wedding finger there. CRA](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/9/6/746696.jpg?v=2)
![CROSSING FINGERS FOR LUCK Crossing fingers with another person was an ancient pagan custom to catch good luck. CRACKEDCOr](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/7/2/746672.jpg?v=2)
![DEMANDING ENCORES Back in the Baroque days, audiences would demand that musicians, mid-song, replay sections that they enjoyed.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/7/8/746678.jpg?v=2)
![KISSING The first evidence of kissing is in the Hindu Vedic Sanskrit texts that describe kissing as soul inhaling. Researchers believe kissing serves](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/9/5/746695.jpg?v=2)
![COVERING YOUR MOUTH WHILE YAWNING ffhle Ancient cultures believed yawning left you vulnerable to evil spirits entering through your mouth. CRACKEDCON](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/7/1/746671.jpg?v=2)
![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 disapprov](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/6/7/746667.jpg?v=2)
![CROSSING FINGERS WHILE LYING Christians were believed to cross their fingers to absolve themselves of the lies they told their persecutors. CRACKEDGON](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/7/3/746673.jpg?v=2)
![MAKING A WISH BEFORE BLOWING OUT CANDLES Ancient cultures believed smoke brought prayers to the heavens. CRACKEDCON](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/6/6/746666.jpg?v=2)
![PINKY SWEARING Pinky swearing may be derived from yubikiri, literally finger-cutting, which is a promise if broken, can result in having your finger](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/6/9/746669.jpg?v=2)
![SAYING BLESS YOU AFTER A SNEEZE Bless you dates back to 77 C.E., when sneezes were considered a sign of health. That changed when it was a symptom](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/6/5/746665.jpg?v=2)
![HIGH-FIVING os 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 j](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/7/0/746670.jpg?v=2)
![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.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/7/4/746674.jpg?v=2)
![WRAPPING PAPER In 1917, the standard wrapping was tissue paper, but when Hallmark sold out, they started selling envelope lining paper instead. It was](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/6/1/746661.jpg?v=2)
![BRIDESMAIDS Bridesmaids wore similar dresses to the bride in order to trick any evil spirit who may attempt to curse the bride. CRACKEDGON](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/6/8/746668.jpg?v=2)
![SHAKING HANDS The handshake was first popularized in America by the Quakers, replacing the bow with the gesture that could be offered to everyone equa](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/6/0/746660.jpg?v=2)