19 Weirdo Origins Of Everyday Traditions

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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.

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
Source: BBC

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'

CROSSING FINGERS FOR LUCK Crossing fingers with another person was an ancient pagan custom to catch good luck. CRACKEDCOr
Source: BBC

DEMANDING ENCORES Back in the Baroque days, audiences would demand that musicians, mid-song, replay sections that they enjoyed.
Source: WQXR

KISSING The first evidence of kissing is in the Hindu Vedic Sanskrit texts that describe kissing as soul inhaling. Researchers believe kissing serves
Source: BBC

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

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
Source: CNN

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

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.
Source: BBC

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
Source: JStor
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