Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Blossom]

What is a high five, and what is the origin?

Is there a low five?

[Brian Boyd]

Hi Blossom

A high five is when two people raise one hand each above their heads and slap their palms together.

You do it after some kind of victory - like when you score in sports. You can also use it to celebrate a small success - like fixing something that was broken, winning in a computer game, making a witty comment that wins an argument.

You can see high fives everywhere - people on American talk shows like 'Jerry Springer' do it a lot. You can also see it in Terminator 2 when John Connor teaches the Terminator how to high five...

'All right - high five, on the side, up above, down below ... you're too slow!'

And the origin? Well - I suppose it's because you raise your hand high, and your hand has five fingers!

Brian
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Comics for students ...

http://www.grammarmancomic.com

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[strielka.]

Give me a high five!

[louis312]

[Blossom]

Thanks

But is there a low five?

[bud]

There isn't as far as I know, but if you used it I would understand what you meant (unless it was out of context). If you said, "Give me a low five," I'd swing my arm in a low arc towards yours. But again, I don't think it is a common expression.

[Blossom]

Many thanks, eveybody