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I have two thoughts on this.

1) The ritual in sandlot Baseball where opposing captains choose first at-bats by tossing the bat and going hand-over-hand until one of them reaches the top of the bat. The one with the "upper hand" gets choice of having first at bat or not.

2) It may also go back to the old sport of Roman Knuckles, where opponents clasp their hands at shoulder level and try to bend their opponents fingers backward, thereby forcing their opponent to surrender. Naturally the person with the "upper hand" is in a position of advantage and almost certain to win.

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15y ago

What else can I help you with?