Hey there! I’m Craig, and today we’re diving into a fun topic: the origin of the high five. You might think it’s just a simple gesture, but there’s actually a lot to learn about where it came from. Let’s explore some interesting stories behind this popular hand slap!
Before the high five became famous, there was something called the “low five.” This gesture was popular during the Jazz Age, a time when jazz music was all the rage. People called it “slapping skin,” and it was a cool way to greet friends or celebrate something exciting.
One story about the high five’s origin is more myth than fact. It claims that a group of friends known as “The Five” invented the high five as an inside joke after serving in Vietnam in the ’60s. However, this story was actually made up by a comedy writer in 2002, so it’s not the real deal.
One of the more believable stories involves baseball player Glenn Burke. On October 2, 1977, Burke was playing for the LA Dodgers. During a game, his teammate Dusty Baker hit his 30th home run. Burke raised his arm in celebration, and Baker, unsure of what to do, slapped it. Later, Burke hit his first Major League home run and was greeted with a high five from Baker. This story is a favorite among baseball fans!
Another possible origin comes from the University of Louisville Cardinals basketball team. During a practice in the 1978-79 season, player Derek Smith wanted to change things up. When his teammate Wy Brown tried to give him a low five, Smith insisted on a high five instead. The team loved it and started using it to celebrate their impressive jumps.
Whether or not the Cardinals invented the high five, they likely helped popularize its name. During the 1980 NCAA Final, announcer Al McGuire used the term “high five” for the first time on TV, saying, “Mr. Brown came to play, and they’re giving him the high five handshake.” This helped spread the name and the gesture even more.
So, while we might not know the exact origin of the high five, these stories give us a glimpse into how it became such a popular way to celebrate. Next time you give someone a high five, you can think about its interesting history!
Thanks for joining me on this journey through the history of the high five. If you have any big questions you’d like answered, feel free to share them!
Research the different stories about the origin of the high five and create a timeline. Include the Jazz Age low five, the baseball moment with Glenn Burke, and the basketball contribution from the University of Louisville. Use images and short descriptions to make your timeline visually appealing and informative.
In groups, choose one of the origin stories of the high five and create a short skit to act it out. Pay attention to the details and have fun bringing the story to life. After each performance, discuss what you learned about the high five’s history.
Create a poster that illustrates the journey of the high five from its origins to its popularity today. Use drawings, magazine cutouts, or digital tools to showcase the different stories and how the gesture has evolved over time.
Find someone who is passionate about sports and interview them about their thoughts on the high five. Ask them about their favorite high five moments in sports history and how they think the gesture impacts team spirit. Share your findings with the class.
Research how the high five is used in different cultures around the world. Do people use similar gestures to celebrate or greet each other? Create a presentation to share your findings and compare the cultural variations of the high five.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Hi, I’m Craig! We shot this about a month ago, and this is Mental Floss on YouTube. Today, I’m going to answer Jacob Shield’s big question: What is the origin of the high five? Just like the origin of the hot dog, this is a controversial question. But you know what? We don’t shy away from the tough ones around here, so I’m going to explain some possible origins of the high five.
It’s worth noting that a few similar gestures existed before the high five was invented. For example, the low five was very popular during the Jazz Age when it was known as “slapping skin.”
Let’s start with one popular story about the high five’s origin that you may have heard, but it’s definitely a myth. It goes that the high five came from a group of friends who called themselves “The Five.” They had been in Vietnam together in the ’60s and invented the high five as an inside joke. This story has been spread around a lot in recent years, but it was actually invented by a comedy writer around 2002.
So, what are more likely stories? Here are two possibilities:
Story number one suggests that it was invented by baseball player Glenn Burke on October 2, 1977. At the time, he played for the LA Dodgers. During their game that day, Burke was on deck when his friend Dusty Baker hit his 30th home run. Burke lifted an arm into the sky, and when Baker returned, he wasn’t sure how to react, so he slapped it. Later, Burke went up to bat and hit his first-ever Major League home run, and he was met with a high five from Baker. I like that story; I hope it’s true!
Story number two is that it was invented by University of Louisville Cardinals basketball player Derek Smith during a practice in the 1978-79 season. His teammate Wy Brown tried to give him a low five, but Smith insisted on an up high. The team adopted it as a symbol of their high jumping.
Whether or not the Cardinals invented the high five, it probably got its name thanks to them. During the 1980 NCAA Final, announcer Al McGuire said, “Mr. Brown came to play, and they’re giving him the high five handshake.” That was the first time anyone called it that.
Thanks for watching Mental Floss on YouTube, which was made with the help of these nice people. If you have a big question of your own that you’d like answered, leave it below in the comments!
—
Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Origin – The beginning or starting point of something – The origin of theater can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it began as part of religious festivals.
Gesture – A movement of the body, especially of the hands or arms, to express an idea or feeling – In silent films, actors relied heavily on gesture to convey emotions and actions.
Jazz – A style of music characterized by improvisation and strong rhythms, which originated in the African American communities – Jazz became a popular genre in the 1920s and had a significant impact on American culture.
Baseball – A sport played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players each, popular in the United States – Baseball was considered America’s pastime and played a significant role in the country’s history.
Basketball – A sport in which two teams try to score points by throwing a ball through the opposing team’s hoop – Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891 and has since become a global sport.
Celebrate – To acknowledge a significant or happy day or event with a social gathering or enjoyable activity – People celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and parades to honor the nation’s history.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs – Learning about history helps us understand how past events have shaped the present world.
Teammates – Members of the same team who work together to achieve a common goal – The actors in the play were like teammates, supporting each other to deliver a great performance.
Popularize – To make something well-known or widely accepted – The Beatles helped popularize rock and roll music around the world during the 1960s.
Stories – Accounts of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment – Stories about historical figures can make learning history more engaging and relatable for students.
