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The fist pump is a celebratory gesture in which a closed fist is raised before the torso and subsequently drawn down and nearer to the body in a vigorous, swift motion. The fist pump is frequently carried out in parts of the Western Hemisphere, Europe, and Japan (where it is known as guts pose) to denote enthusiasm, exuberance, or success and may be accompanied by a similarly energetic exclamation or vociferation. The gesture may be executed once or in a rapid series.
Though they are notably conspicuous in sporting activities[1] (especially upon the attainment of a goal or score), fist pumps are present in a wide range of other industries including real estate marketing, naval engineering, information technology and Stratco Poker nights. In sports, pumping one's fist following an error made by one's opponent can be considered unsportsmanlike.
Many famous athletes are particularly associated with the fist pump. For example, Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal will break his usually reserved temperament with fist pumps and his trademark "Vamos! (Let's go!)" Ana Ivanovic also does fist pumping when she wins crucial points. Spanish Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso is also frequently seen enthusiastically fist-pumping whenever he overtakes another car or wins a race. Maria Sharapova is also known to break her impassive temperament with a fist pump and usually she will shout "Come on!," when she wins a point. Another practitioner is Tim Henman, who was prone to fist pump after every winning point throughout his career. On seeing him perform this action at Wimbledon, Henman's devoted fans, dubbed "Henmaniacs" by the British press, would become even more henmanic. Professional golfer Tiger Woods commonly pumps his fist after a good performance at a hole.
Blue Man Group labelled this gesture Rock Concert Movement #2.
2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean was made fun of for his exaggerated fist-pump combined with what was later referred to as the Dean Scream.
Tom Cruise repeatedly made fist pumps while also making genuflections in celebration of his latest romantic relationship with Katie Holmes on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He has been mocked for his exuberant behaviour during this broadcast. This was the origin of the expression "jump the couch."
Variation
Australian Swimmer Michael Klim used a variation of this sign by releasing his end fingers. This would be known as the "Reverse Duck-Bill". Another user of this is Australian tennis player Lleyton Hewitt, who uses this when he screams "C'mon!" when he is excited or has won a game.
Another variation of the fist pump can be done by extending the arm upward at or above head level. This is a common dance move to such popular songs like Everytime We Touch by Cascada and One More Time (Daft Punk song) by Daft Punk.
Fist pumps were used in the 1950s and 1960s by kids wanting to get passing truck drivers to blow their air horns. The air horns were typically on the roof of the truck and a horizontal chain near the ceiling was pulled by the driver to sound the air horn. The kids used that gesture to get the truck driver to blow the horn and when successful would exclaim "YES!"
References
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