The high five is so common that we throw it around without thinking. You hit a home run, land a big client, or finish a marathon, and two open palms smack together. It feels ancient, but it actually started in October 1977 during a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros.
Glenn Burke, an outfielder for the Dodgers, held up his hand as teammate Dusty Baker jogged home after hitting a home run. Baker didn't know what to do at first, so he slapped Burke's hand. That single, spontaneous moment changed sports culture and nonverbal communication forever. Today, the high five is a universal signal of celebration, teamwork, and instant validation that bridges cultural gaps without a single spoken word.
The True Origin Story
Before 1977, athletes congratulated each other with pats on the back, handshakes, or slaps on the rear end. The high-fiving motion evolved out of the counterculture of the 1960s and 70s jazz and basketball scenes, where players used "low fives" as a greeting.
Glenn Burke is credited with inventing the high five in Dodger Stadium. As Burke recalled years later, his hand was hanging up in the air, Dusty saw it, and he reached up and hit it. The sound made a loud smack, and they both smiled. Burke took the gesture off the field, sharing it with teammates throughout the season. It caught on instantly because it was fast, highly visible, and emotionally charged.
According to Library of Congress archives and baseball historians, October 2 is often cited as the rough anniversary of the moment, cementing its place in sports lore. Burke's legacy lives on every time two people celebrate a win with a celebratory hand slap.
Why the Brain Loves a Good Hand Slap
When two hands meet at speed, a specific chain reaction fires off in the human nervous system. Physical touch triggers a release of oxytocin, often called the bonding hormone. At the same time, it spikes dopamine and endorphins while lowering cortisol, the primary stress hormone.
This neurochemical cocktail explains why a simple gesture feels so good. It provides immediate positive reinforcement. When you complete a difficult task and share a high five with a colleague, your brain registers the physical synchronization as shared safety and group success.
Behavioral studies show that sports teams that high-five frequently early in a season tend to perform better overall. The physical contact builds trust and reduces anxiety under pressure. It turns an individual achievement into a collective victory, signaling to the brain that you belong to a supportive tribe.
Unspoken Rules and Etiquette
While anyone can slap hands, mastering the mechanics takes social intelligence. A bad high five is awkward and uncomfortable. It usually happens because one person misreads the other's intent or timing.
- Eye contact: Good high-fivers watch the elbow, not the palm. This prevents missing the target and avoids embarrassing near-misses.
- Speed and pressure: Match your partner's energy. A limp, half-hearted slap sends a signal of disinterest, while an overly aggressive strike feels hostile or mocking.
- Height: Read your partner's stance. Going high for someone who is shorter creates an awkward reach, turning a moment of celebration into an awkward stretch.
Social anthropologist Desmond Morris, author of Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behaviour, noted that nonverbal gestures carry specific regional and contextual rules. The high five is unique because it crosses language barriers effortlessly. A tourist in Tokyo and a worker in Toronto both understand what a raised palm means instantly.
The High Five in Modern Workplaces and Classrooms
Forward-thinking organizations have moved past stiff handshakes and sterile corporate memos to adopt tactile recognition. Managers in high-stress industries use quick physical acknowledgments to reset team morale after a tough project sprint.
In classrooms, teachers use high fives at the door to greet students each morning. Research from educational psychology indicates that morning greetings improve classroom engagement and student mood. A quick palm slap from an authority figure validates a child's presence and sets a positive tone for learning.
On construction sites and in manufacturing plants, quick gestures serve a dual purpose. They build camaraderie and act as a rapid nonverbal confirmation that workers are aligned and ready for a heavy lift. It is a quick check-in that requires zero words in a noisy environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who actually invented the high five?
Glenn Burke of the Los Angeles Dodgers is widely credited with inventing the modern high five during an October 1977 game against the Houston Astros, when he raised his hand to greet Dusty Baker.
Why is there a National High Five Day?
National High Five Day is observed on the third Thursday of April. It started in 2002 when a group of University of Virginia students set up a booth to give away high fives and candy, turning it into a widespread charitable tradition.
Do virtual high fives have the same psychological effect?
Virtual high fives, emojis, and GIFs do not trigger the same oxytocin and endorphin release as physical skin-on-skin contact. The real power of the gesture comes from the kinetic feedback, sound, and tactile shock of two palms meeting.
What is the difference between a high five and a low five?
A low five involves slapping hands at waist or hip level, a gesture rooted in 20th-century African American jazz and street culture. The high five raised the gesture to shoulder or head height, transforming its visual impact in sports stadiums.
