What This Everyday Hand Gesture Really Meant in the Past

What This Everyday Hand Gesture Really Meant in the Past

We use hand gestures every day — to greet someone, signal approval, or express emotion without saying a word. But what many people don’t realize is that some of today’s most common gestures once carried very different — and sometimes shocking — meanings.

One simple motion of the hand that now seems harmless may have roots in ancient rituals, battlefield commands, or even public insults. Here’s a closer look at how an everyday gesture evolved over time — and what it originally meant.