Fingers crossed, hold thumbs

[ainitatyb]

In English we use the expression 'fingers crossed' if we are hoping for good luck, and in South Africa the expression is 'hold thumbs'. But does anyone know of similar expressions in other countries with the same meaning?

[bookbinder]

In Germany they say, "Wir dr�cken die Daumen", which means, "We squeeze our thumbs". That's more or less the same as the South African expression. Incidentally, I believe that crossing one's fingers to bring good luck is actually making the sign of the cross, as a sort of appeal to Heaven to send down a blessing.