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If you’re a Yankees fan, you’ve probably seen the “thumbs down” gesture a lot lately. But what does it mean?
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Origins of the Thumbs Down
The Yankees’ thumbs down has become a popular symbol in recent years, but where did it come from? The answer may surprise you. The thumbs down actually has a long and complicated history, and it’s meaning has changed over time. Let’s take a closer look.
The Thumbs Down in Roman Times
The thumbs down gesture was used long before the New York Yankees made it famous. It actually has its roots in ancient Rome, where it was used as a sign of disapproval or as a way to condemn someone.
A Roman crowd would often extend their thumb to signal that they wanted a gladiator to be spared, or give them the thumbs up. If the crowd wanted the gladiator to be killed, they would point their thumb down.
Interestingly, the thumbs up gesture actually meant something different in Roman times. It was often used as a way to seal a deal, or indicate that something was ok. So if you’re ever in Rome and someone gives you the thumbs up, don’t take it as a compliment!
The Thumbs Down in Medieval Times
The thumbs down gesture actually dates back to medieval times. In those days, knights would battle each other for the hand of a fair maiden. The loser of the fight would be signified by having his thumb pulled down by the winner.
The thumbs down gesture also came to mean approval in ancient Rome. Senators would vote on motions by holding up their thumb. If they approved of the motion, they would hold up their thumb. If they disapproved, they would hold their thumb down.
The Yankees’ Thumbs Down gesture is thought to have originated in the late 1990s when relief pitcher Mariano Rivera would give the gesture to signify that he had struck out the batter and the game was over.
The Thumbs Down in the Yankees
The Thumbs Down is a symbol of the New York Yankees. It is a tradition that started in the 1970s when Yankees fans would give a thumbs down to opponents. The tradition has continued and the Thumbs Down has become a symbol of the Yankees.
The Thumbs Down in the Yankees’ dugout
The Thumbs Down in the Yankees’ Dugout is a rally cry used by the team when they are behind in a game and need a spark. The team will put their thumbs down in the dugout and get Fired up to come back and win the game. It is a very emotional moment for the team and the fans.
The Thumbs Down in the Yankees’ bullpen
In baseball, there are a number of traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. One of those traditions is the “thumbs down” sign that is often seen in the Yankees’ bullpen.
The tradition started with relief pitcher Mariano Rivera, who would give the thumbs down sign to opposing hitters when he was getting ready to enter the game. The tradition has continued with other Yankees relief pitchers, and has even spread to other teams.
The thumbs down sign is a way for relief pitchers to show their confidence in their ability to get the job done. It’s also a way to get psyched up for the game and to get the fans involved. When a relief pitcher comes into the game with the Yankees’ thumbs down sign, it’s a signal that the Yankees are about to make a comeback.
The Thumbs Down in Other Sports
The Yankees’ thumbs down has been a thing for a while now. It started back in 2017 when a fan did it to Aroldis Chapman when he was being traded. The Yankees’ players liked it and started doing it themselves. Now, it has become a thing that they do to show their disapproval. But what does it mean in other sports?
The Thumbs Down in Baseball
The New York Yankees have a long and storied history, dating back to their founding in 1901. They’ve won 27 World Series titles, more than any other team in Major League Baseball, and 40 American League pennants. The Yankees are also known for their many traditions, one of which is the “thumbs down” gesture.
The origins of the “thumbs down” gesture are uncertain, but it is believed to date back to the early days of the franchise. The most common theory is that it was started by Yankee great Babe Ruth, who would give the gesture to opposing pitchers after hitting one of his famous home runs. Another theory is that it was started by manager Casey Stengel as a way to signal relief pitchers in from the bullpen.
Whatever its origins, the “thumbs down” gesture has become synonymous with the Yankees over the years. It’s often seen as a sign of disrespect towards opponents, but it’s also seen as a sign of solidarity amongst Yankee fans.
So, when you see a Yankee player or fan giving the “thumbs down” gesture, don’t be offended! It’s just a small part of what makes the Yankees such a unique and special team.
The Thumbs Down in Football
In football, the thumbs down signal is usually given by the referee when a player is injured and needs to be replaced. This signals to the bench that they need to send in a replacement player.
The Thumbs Down in Basketball
While the thumbs down gesture is most commonly associated with baseball, it has also been used in other sports. In basketball, for example, players may use the gesture to signal that they are not happy with a call by the referee. Similarly, fans may use the thumbs down gesture to show their displeasure with a call or player.
The Thumbs Down in Popular Culture
The thumbs down has been around for centuries, but it was popularized in the 1974 movie “The Godfather.” In the movie, a character named Luca Brasi gives a thumbs down to signal that he is no longer a threat. The “thumbs down” has since become a popular way to show disapproval.
The Thumbs Down in Movies
The Thumbs Down is a gesture of disapproval ornegative assessment, typically made with the hand held palm down andthe thumb extended. It can also be interpreted as an advisement tostop or discontinue an activity. The Thumbs Down gesture has beenportrayed in popular culture in a variety of ways, often as arejection of an offer or proposal.
One of the most famous instances of the Thumbs Down gesture inmovies is in the 1963 film “Cleopatra” when Julius Caesar (RexHarrison) is shown giving the thumbs down to signal his disapprovalof Antony’s (Richard Burton) plan to allow Cleopatra’s forces totake part in the battle against Pompey. This scene was likelyincluded to show Caesar’s power over Antony, as well as todemonstrate the Roman general’s negative opinion of Cleopatra.
The most famous use of the Thumbs Down gesture in recent yearsis probably from the 1995 film “The Usual Suspects” when CustomsAgent David Kujan (Chazz Palminteri) begins interrogating Roger”Verbal” Kint (Kevin Spacey). After Kujan shows Kint a photo of amurdered man and asks if he knows him, Kint replies “I don’t knowthe guy,” and gives Kujan a thumbs down. This scene has become oneof the most iconic in movie history, and helped propel Spacey tostardom.
The Thumbs Down in TV Shows
The Thumbs Down has been a gesture of disapproval in the United States since the early 1900s. The most famous example is the scene in The Godfather when Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) gives a thumbs down to consent his brother’s death. Other examples include:
-In the television show Seinfeld, Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) gives a thumbs down to an innovative product called the “Snu-snu” massage chair, which winds up giving her a back injury.
-In an episode of The Simpsons, Lisa Simpson (Yeardley Smith) gives a thumbs down to her father Homer’s (Dan Castellaneta) new pet lizard, which ends up biting her.
The Thumbs Down in Music
The thumbs down gesture is often associated with the music industry. It is commonly used by music critics to signal disapproval of a performance or album, and has been adopted by many fans as a way to voice their displeasure with certain artists or songs.
The most famous use of the thumbs down gesture in music probably came from Simon Cowell, who popularized it as a judge on the UK television show Pop Idol. Cowell would often give contestants a thumbs down if he felt they were not up to par, and the gesture quickly became synonymous with his critical eye.
The Thumbs Down has also been used in more positive ways in the music world. For example, fans of the band Slipknot have been known to give the band’s albums “thumbs up” reviews by holding up both their index and middle fingers while wearing the band’s signature red jumpers.
