Fingers Crossed...
We have an expression in English "Fingers Crossed" when we hope for or wish something good to happen. When we say "fingers crossed", we actually cross our pointer and middle fingers over each other to make the wish - some people think that it helps the wish come truth (well, my mother used to say to me "well, cross your fingers then Danielle; maybe it will come true" so I do it!), but most people just automactically make the gesture (that is, cross their fingers) when they say the expression.
When someone crosses their fingers and puts their hand behind their back, however, it means something different. This gesture means that the person is telling a lie. I sometimes did this when I was a child if I didn:t want to tell the truth:
Mom: "Danielle, did you eat that cookie?"
Me: "Nope!
Mom: "When why are your fingers crossed behind your back?"
Me: Ummmm...
I:ve been thinking about this expression lately because I used it in the office the other day and the staff hadn't heard the expression before. Also, it says that it:s supposed to rain on Sunday and that is when our Hanami Party is, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't! (Don't worry, my hands aren't behind my back when I'm doing it!)
See you on Sunday!
Danielle