Hold thumbs

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Meaning

Hope for good luck or wish that something will succeed. The local equivalent of cross your fingers. It can refer either to the gesture or simply to hoping. Regional use: South Africa and neighbouring southern African Englishes.

Origin

South Africans may literally fold the fingers over one or both thumbs while wishing for success. The English phrase corresponds closely to Afrikaans duim vashou and to a wider European thumb-holding custom. Afrikaans influence is very likely, but the available record does not require a single moment of borrowing or identify one named inventor.

Variants

  • Hold thumbs for someone
  • Keep your thumbs held
  • Thumbs held

Usage Examples

  • Hold thumbs that the rain stays away until the final whistle.
  • We are holding thumbs for Lindiwe's interview this afternoon.

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