Snap (fingers)
Encyclopedia
Snapping one's finger
s is the act of creating a cracking/clicking sound with one's fingers. Primarily this is done by building tension between the thumb
and another (middle
, index
, or ring
) finger and then moving the other finger forcefully downward so it hits the palm of the same hand
at a high speed. Alternatively, one can press the middle finger and thumb together and then fling the index finger into them.
of the fingers rubbing together can be heard briefly before the snap, as a whisking sound. All fingers can be used for snapping. Alternatively, the groove can be between the middle finger and the thumb.
snapping of fingers was used by musicians and dancers as a way to keep the rhythm and it was known with the words "ἀποληκέω" (apolekeo), "ἀποκρότημα" (apokrotema) (from the verb "ἀποκροτέω" - apokroteo, "to snap the fingers") and "ἐπίπταισμα" (epiptaisma). Snapping of fingers is also very usual between modern Greeks
.
Finger snapping may be used as a substitute for hand clapping. The University of Michigan Men's Glee Club has a long tradition of doing this. In their club's history they state: "The reason behind this (as legend goes) is you can't clap and hold a beer [at the same time]! Another possible reason is that snapping is less disruptive than clapping during speeches and announcements."
Snapping one's fingers abruptly and repetitively, often in conjunction with one or more spoken exclamations, is commonly employed in securing someone else's attention.
n culture, finger snapping, along with chest slapping, is a common form of music.
In Western music involving snapping of fingers, the sound of the snap is usually on 2 and 4 (like the clap
).
The sounds of a fingersnap also are sampled and used in many disparate genres of music, used mostly as percussion; the works of Angelo Badalamenti
exhibit this in the soundtracks to, e.g., Twin Peaks
, Lost Highway
.
Finger
A finger is a limb of the human body and a type of digit, an organ of manipulation and sensation found in the hands of humans and other primates....
s is the act of creating a cracking/clicking sound with one's fingers. Primarily this is done by building tension between the thumb
Thumb
The thumb is the first digit of the hand. When a person is standing in the medical anatomical position , the thumb is the lateral-most digit...
and another (middle
Middle finger
The middle finger or long finger is the third digit of the human hand, located between the index finger and the ring finger. It is usually the longest finger...
, index
Index finger
The index finger, , is the first finger and the second digit of a human hand. It is located between the first and third digits, between the thumb and the middle finger...
, or ring
Ring finger
The ring finger is the fourth digit of the human hand, and the second most ulnar finger, located between the middle finger and the little finger. It is also called digitus medicinalis, the fourth finger, digitus annularis, digitus quartus, or digitus IV in anatomy.- Etymology :According to László A...
) finger and then moving the other finger forcefully downward so it hits the palm of the same hand
Hand
A hand is a prehensile, multi-fingered extremity located at the end of an arm or forelimb of primates such as humans, chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs...
at a high speed. Alternatively, one can press the middle finger and thumb together and then fling the index finger into them.
Physics
The sound of the snap is created as a result of one of the fingers coming into contact with a groove, thus forcing the air out with an audible crack which resonates in the curved shape of the palm. Primarily the groove is between a second finger and the palm. The frictionFriction
Friction is the force resisting the relative motion of solid surfaces, fluid layers, and/or material elements sliding against each other. There are several types of friction:...
of the fingers rubbing together can be heard briefly before the snap, as a whisking sound. All fingers can be used for snapping. Alternatively, the groove can be between the middle finger and the thumb.
In culture
In Ancient GreeceAncient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
snapping of fingers was used by musicians and dancers as a way to keep the rhythm and it was known with the words "ἀποληκέω" (apolekeo), "ἀποκρότημα" (apokrotema) (from the verb "ἀποκροτέω" - apokroteo, "to snap the fingers") and "ἐπίπταισμα" (epiptaisma). Snapping of fingers is also very usual between modern Greeks
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
.
Finger snapping may be used as a substitute for hand clapping. The University of Michigan Men's Glee Club has a long tradition of doing this. In their club's history they state: "The reason behind this (as legend goes) is you can't clap and hold a beer [at the same time]! Another possible reason is that snapping is less disruptive than clapping during speeches and announcements."
Snapping one's fingers abruptly and repetitively, often in conjunction with one or more spoken exclamations, is commonly employed in securing someone else's attention.
In nursing
When a patient comes to the hospital with severe condition and shock, or in a state of unconsciousness, snapping fingers is employed by the nurse in the audibility assessment to determine the current state of the seriouness of the condition and to help in the treatment mode. It is similar to calling the name of the patient to arouse him from the unconscious state.In music
In SumatraSumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
n culture, finger snapping, along with chest slapping, is a common form of music.
In Western music involving snapping of fingers, the sound of the snap is usually on 2 and 4 (like the clap
Clapping
A clap is the sound made by striking together two flat surfaces, as in the body parts of humans or animals. Humans clap with the palms of their hands, often in a constant drone to express appreciation or approval , but also in rhythm to match sounds in music and dance...
).
The sounds of a fingersnap also are sampled and used in many disparate genres of music, used mostly as percussion; the works of Angelo Badalamenti
Angelo Badalamenti
Angelo Badalamenti is an American composer, known for his movie soundtrack work for director David Lynch, notably Blue Velvet, the Twin Peaks saga and Mulholland Drive...
exhibit this in the soundtracks to, e.g., Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is an American television serial drama created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. The series follows the investigation headed by FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper , of the murder of a popular teenager and homecoming queen, Laura Palmer...
, Lost Highway
Lost Highway
Lost Highway is a 1997 American psychological thriller film with elements of neo-noir. Written and directed by David Lynch, the film stars Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, Balthazar Getty and Robert Loggia. Lynch co-wrote the screenplay with Barry Gifford, who also wrote the novel that served as...
.