 sj |
||
|
||
BS: Thumbing for a ride...
|
|
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: frogprince Date: 28 Jan 09 - 11:09 AM Somewhere around 25-30 years ago, while I was living in Chicago, there was some media mention of a mini-phenomenon of nude (I think mainly female) hitch hikers; I think it was noticed mainly in southern Illinois and/or northern Indiana. I kept thinking I would go drive around in the area some on my spare time, but didn't get around to it. : ) Hadn't thought about that for years & years.... |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: TRUBRIT Date: 27 Jan 09 - 10:37 PM I don't know -- I thought Barry's explanation sounded pretty convincing!!!!!! |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: Darowyn Date: 27 Jan 09 - 08:33 AM "Pollex compressus" was the Latin phrase translated as "thumbs down". That would imply that showing the thumb was a vote for mercy, while showing a closed fist, with the thumb pressed down tight onto the side of the hand, voted for death. There is logic in that. cheers Dave |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler Date: 27 Jan 09 - 07:40 AM Did I read somewhere that the "thumbs up" sign has reversed in meaning since the Roman days, so "thumbs down" meant let him live? |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: MartinRyan Date: 27 Jan 09 - 05:30 AM It's a piss-take on the Emperor's gladiatorial gesture, as you try to cadge a lift on a chariot, after the match ... Regards |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: SINSULL Date: 26 Jan 09 - 09:39 PM Barry! CELLAR! |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: Barry Finn Date: 26 Jan 09 - 08:41 PM In the underwater caverns on Maui, I saw drawings of the ancient Hawaiians wading waist deep in the rivers with one hand out straight & one hand behind their backs waiting to signal their fellow hitch hiker to follow as soon as a river porpoise snatched the fish out of the out streched hand. At that monment when the porpoise was engorged on fish the 2 Hawaiians would swing over onto the fishes back & ride down stream to the river's mouth at which point they'd take a dive otherwise the fish would take them across the channel to Hilo. In those days no one wanted o go to Hilo, not even Johnny, it was the southern most place & at the end of the chain. The "hitch" part of the word derives the knots that the Hawaians used to tie themselves to the porpoise with (this knot they passed on to passing sailors which in later days became a famous knot of many types) & the "hike" part of the phase is from the actions they would make to the grass dresses when they would be mid stride in their jump to ride the fishes back. They'd hike up their skirt & jump. So Sins, I'd date it back to the Poly mygrate son of 275BC. Barry |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 26 Jan 09 - 08:04 PM You might be able to walk beside a farm wagon, but there have been plenty of much faster vehicles since before Roman times. The most natural way to wave at a passing vehicle to indicate you'd like a ride involves a movement which involves the thumb leading the wave. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 26 Jan 09 - 07:51 PM I would say the answer to the "when" part of SINSULL's question would be "at the beginning of the automotive age". Soliciting rides predates the automobile, but if one were looking for a ride on a passing farm wagon it would be possible to actually walk or jog alongside the wagon and talk with its driver. But once the automobile came along it wasn't possible to communicate verbally with a driver, so a signal needed to be invented. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: Rog Peek Date: 26 Jan 09 - 05:28 PM Not if you're over sixty and male Megan. Might work fine for you. Rog |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: John MacKenzie Date: 26 Jan 09 - 05:15 PM Bicycles? |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: GUEST,McGrath of Harlow Date: 26 Jan 09 - 04:42 PM I imagine around the time the first wheeled vehicle was invented. |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: SINSULL Date: 26 Jan 09 - 04:33 PM But when and where did it start? |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: Megan L Date: 26 Jan 09 - 04:11 PM You mean standing at the side of the road flashing your ankle isnt the best way to hitch a lift :) |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 26 Jan 09 - 04:03 PM From the Wikipedia article on Hitchhiking: "The hitchhiker's method of signaling to drivers differs around the world. In the U.S.and UK, one would point his or her thumb up, while in some places in South America one displays to an oncoming car the back of her hand with the index finger pointing up. In Poland, the hand is held flat, and waved. In India, the hand is waved with the palm facing downwards (or the U.S./UK way). In Israel the hitchhiking signal is similar, often pointing downwards." |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: Leadfingers Date: 26 Jan 09 - 03:55 PM You stand at the side of the road , with your arm out at full length , and the Thumb sticking up ! Thumbing for a ride is Hitch Hiking ! Used to be the normal way for Servicemen to get home if they couldnt swing a travel pass ! |
|
Subject: RE: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: John MacKenzie Date: 26 Jan 09 - 03:47 PM I was told it was servicemen looking for a ride home, when they went on leave. Can't remember who told me either. |
|
Subject: BS: Thumbing for a ride... From: SINSULL Date: 26 Jan 09 - 03:10 PM Does anyone know the origins of the custom? |
