10 Bizarre Origins Of Everyday Traditions That Will Blow Your Mind
9. Pinky Swearing
The Tradition Today: The pinky swear or pinky promise is normally a practice confined to primary school playgrounds, where it is immensely serious business. In the vein of an Unbreakable Vow for the younger set, the two oath-takers link little fingers to signify the sealing of a promise that has been made. Where It Came From: Allegedly, this practice originated in Japan, specifically with a digit-detaching practice of the Japanese mafia, the Yakuza. The concept of purported origin is known as yubikiri (literally, finger-cutting), and apparently has its background in loyalty practices among the Yakuza wherein a little finger would be cut off as a result of dishonesty or betrayal. This cant really be proven, but it certainly adds a morbid spin to the whole affair. Regardless of the accuracy of the Japanese mob link, the pinky promise is not without its ominous origins in North America, either; appearing in 1860 in a book entitled Bartletts Dictionary of Americanisms, in which the practice was said to be accompanied by the following rhyme in America:
Pinky, pinky bow-bell, Whoever tells a lie Will sink down to the bad place And never rise up again.
Yikes. Innocent playground practice, violent mafia loyalty practice, or Satanic cult ritual? One can only guess.
Canadian student. Spends probably an unhealthy amount of time enthusing over musicals, unpopular TV shows, and Harry Potter. Main life goal: to become fluent in Elvish.
