The first time, perhaps, it turns out that we do not have a clear idea of what, in fact, we will discuss it, because the sources do not have a single opinion on the origin of the expression "keep fists." You know, this happens when, for example, a relative or friend has something important to do, and you tell him this phrase and don’t even think about where it comes from in the language.
Special Forces Training and Babies
The strange slightly subtitle reflects the true state of things. No one really knows who or what we owe the appearance of the phrase in everyday speech, but the expression is a running one, so let's try to figure it out.
So, let's start with non-language versions. Someone associates a gesture with the preparation of special forces. During operations, the commander shows a clenched fist, which means everyone to freeze or concentrate, and along the way, probably, to calm down so that the soldiers do not make a single rustle and sound.
The second “strange” version tells about babies who are born with clenched fists, which symbolizes their mighty craving for life. Accordingly, when we say that we will “hold our fists”, this means: we occupy a person of our life force to fulfill his desire or achieve his goal.
If you approach the versions sensibly, without falling into mysticism, then it seems that clenched fists are a symbol of strong desire, when a person exerts all spiritual strength, he wants so much to do anything.
Polish trace
Naturally, it seems to us that the language version is more believable. It is known that some words were borrowed from Polish. More often he acted as a mediator between Russian and Latin, Russian and French, Russian and German. So, from Polish, "keep your fists" means the same thing as "cross your fingers." As you know, fingers cross, hoping for a happy occasion. Let's talk about this in more detail.
What do crossed fingers mean?
Sources claim that Jesus Christ used this gesture during sermons. And yet, crossed fingers served as a talisman for persecuted Christians. They could, as they please, renounce the teachings of Christ, but they held crossed fingers behind their backs. Fingers for the time being replaced the main symbol of faith - the cross.
Honestly, we don’t know if this is true or not, but such a version was found. At least she explains why teenagers in American films, telling lies, cross their fingers behind their backs and feel morally infallible.
What does the gesture mean? Now so attract luck or the fulfillment of a cherished desire. But in Russia this does not have a serious distribution.
Meaning and synonyms
Perhaps the reader understood what it means "I will keep my fists for you." In this case, we want our acquaintance, friend or relative to have everything that he had in mind. That is, this gesture, like the previous one, symbolizes good luck. Let's immediately pick up analogues for him in order to remove the remaining questions.
- I wish you good luck.
- I will root for you.
- Break a leg.
- I'm with you.
- I hope for a successful outcome.
The result was not synonyms, but "interpreters of meaning." But one phraseologism still managed to remember. Yes, by the way, because instead of “holding fists” you can say “cross your fingers for me,” but we have already mentioned this.
The main thing is that the reader should remember that the object of research is an expression of support and a wish of good luck at the same time. If he understands the main meaning of the gesture, then there will be no problems. And there are no exact synonyms for “hold fists”, because the concept is complex.
If we talk about the effectiveness of such support, then, as you know, there is no evidence that this works. But a person is always pleased when they worry about him. Nevertheless, emotions are best received alive and directly. That is, for example, in football, the fans really drive the players of their favorite team forward, the game has a rich emotional atmosphere. And once someone thinks about a person, something like that probably comforts him, but not too much. Nevertheless, we will still keep fists that the reader will like the material, despite its inconsistency.