To make a pinky promise, or pinky swear, is a traditional gesture most commonly practiced amongst children involving the locking of the
pinkies of two people to signify that a
promise
A promise is a commitment by someone to do or not do something. As a noun ''promise'' means a declaration assuring that one will or will not do something. As a verb it means to commit oneself by a promise to do or give. It can also mean a capacity ...
has been made. The gesture is taken to signify that the person can break the finger of the one who broke the promise. The tradition appears to be a relatively modern invention, possibly as a continuation of older finger traditions.
Prevalence worldwide
In North America, it is most common amongst school-aged children or adults and close friends and has existed since at least 1860, when the ''Dictionary of Americanisms'' listed the following accompanying promise:
Pinky, pinky bow-bell,
Whoever tells a lie
Will sink down to the bad place
And never rise up again.
Pinky swearing has origins in Japan from 1600-1803, where it is called and often additionally confirmed with the vow .
Recently, in South Korea, the hooked pinky has been followed by a "seal", wherein the thumbs touch each other while the pinkies are still hooked.
In Taiwan, stamping after hooking pinkies has been common place for over 30 years.
In
Belfast
Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdo ...
,
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
it is referred to as a "piggy promise".
In Italy, a similar tradition is called "giurin giurello" or "giurin giuretto".
In Maharashtra (India), this concept similarly using Marathi calls this "Gatti fu".
References
External links
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Oaths
Traditions
Hand gestures
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