Don't Be Left Hanging on National High Five Day: April 17th

Picture a scenario where two passersby, one a disheveled college student, the other a dignified businessman, simultaneously raise their hands in a high five, producing the unmistakable sound that is sure to evoke envy in nearby onlookers.

At least that's what the founders of National High Five Day would have you imagine. The annual event, which falls on the third Thursday of April, was started by a group of college students at the University of Virginia in 2002. This year, fans will raise hands in a celebratory effort to mark National High Five Day on April 17.

Variations of the High Five

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the high five as a gesture of celebration or greeting in which two people slap each other's palms, typically with their arms extended over their heads - the fingers of each hand creating the "five." Other variations include the double high five, where two people extend both of their arms in the air so that both hands slap together.

There is also the ever popular "high-low," an extension of the typical high five, which begins with a hand smack "high" in the air and ends with another "lower" hand smack, usually about waist height. And one cannot neglect the "windmill," where both high fivers meet up top and continue to swing their arms in a circular motion until they meet again in a low five.

High Five History

The origins of the high five have been the subject of debate. Researchers contend the high five evolved from the African American practice of palm-slapping, frequently coupled with such phrases as "Gimme five" or "Gimme some skin," according to the highfive.me.uk website.

More people tend to associate the origins of the high five with an exchange that occurred in 1977 between L.A. Dodgers baseball players, Glenn Burke and Dusty Baker. Burke reportedly high fived his teammate, Dusty Baker, after Baker hit a homerun, according to Bob Brigham in an article reprinted on the Outsports website.

While Lamont Sleets Jr. claimed he gave high fives to his teammates when he played basketball at Murray State University from 1978-1981, according to the National High Five Day website. Though Sleets said he used the high five as a player in high school and even earlier as a family greeting. As a child, Sleets raised his hands and said "Hi Five!" to his father's visiting army buddies - all of whom served in the 1^st Battalion, 5^th Infantry regiment, but referred to the division as "the Five."

Whether its origins can be traced to baseball or basketball, the term, high five, entered the vernacular. And it was already widely used by 1980, as evidenced by its inclusion in the Oxford English Dictionary that same year. Be that as it may, some people are less mired in the historical debate, and more concerned about getting the high five right.

High Five Etiquette

Anyone who has participated in such an exchange knows that timing is essential, especially if it is to appear effortless and natural. Obviously, some folks demonstrate high five finesse while others do not. There are people who fail to make contact. Or they do not seem to catch on when someone has initiated the gesture.

If one initiates a high five and no one reciprocates the gesture, the initiator is said to be "left hanging," which is considered somewhat of a faux pas, according to Wikipedia.

Thus, members of Highfive.me.uk have put together a cheeky etiquette guide, replete with what they hope will serve as the International Standard for the High-Five. According to their website, "First, to signal your wish to give a High Five the hand should be raised and held flat. Second, to signal you wish to receive a High Five the hand should be raised and tilted back."

But those who are passionate about the holiday say that risk of embarassment is part of the appeal. "What is indispensable is the vulnerability that raising one's hand produces, for it may not always be reciprocated. Knowing and even embracing this, let us offer our hands without fear or reservation to friends, enemies, and strangers alike. It is these momentary exchanges of affection, these fleeting moments of pure joy and simple love that bind us all into that beautiful and mystic fabric that is humanity," Wynn Walent, cofounder of National High Five Day, said.

So if you're reading this consider yourself advised. Whether you love or hate the idea, National High Five Day has fans far and wide. This April 17, people will initiate the palm raising gesture. It's up to you to reciprocate or not.

For more information about how to celebrate National High Five Day or to view a documentary visit NationalHighFiveDay.com.