The fist bump—it's the universal symbol of cool, casual, "we’re in this together" vibes. But where did this knuckle-tapping gesture come from? Well, its history is full of surprising twists! Legend has it that the fist bump might trace its roots back to the boxing ring. Boxers would tap gloves before a match to say, “Good luck, let’s keep it clean”—a gesture that eventually migrated from the ring to the streets. Instead of punching, people just decided to keep it friendly and went for the light tap. 

But wait, there’s another theory! During the 1970s, NBA players began replacing the high-five with the fist bump. Think about it: sweaty palms? No thanks! A fist bump was quicker, cleaner, and still got the message across—"Nice job, buddy." Basketball stars like Fred Carter popularized it, and it caught on with fans, eventually spreading beyond the court. 

And then, of course, there’s the superhero theory. Ever see comic book heroes fist-bump after a big win? The gesture was often a sign of teamwork and solidarity. Some say the fist bump caught on with regular folks because of that—who wouldn’t want to feel a bit like a superhero? 

By the time the 2000s rolled around, the fist bump had gone mainstream. It became the greeting of choice for everyone from athletes to presidents (remember when President Obama famously fist-bumped Michelle?). 

Today, it's not just a cool way to say hello—it’s a symbol of friendship, respect, and sometimes just avoiding a germy handshake.