To make a pinky promise, or pinky swear, is a traditional gesture most commonly practiced amongst children involving the locking of the pinkies of two people to signify that a promise has been made. The gesture is taken to signify that the person can break the finger of the one who broke the promise. The tradition appears to be a relatively modern invention, possibly as a continuation of older finger traditions.[1] [2]
In North America, it is most common amongst school-aged children or adults and close friends and has existed since at least 1860, when the Dictionary of Americanisms listed the following accompanying promise:
Pinky, pinky bow-bell,Whoever tells a lieWill sink down to the bad placeAnd never rise up again.[3]
Pinky swearing has origins in Japan from 1600 to 1803, where it is called and often additionally confirmed with the vow .[4]
Recently, in South Korea, the hooked pinky has been followed by a "seal", wherein the thumbs touch each other while the pinkies are still hooked.[5] [6]
In Taiwan, stamping after hooking pinkies has been commonplace for over 30 years.
In Belfast, Northern Ireland it is referred to as a "piggy promise".
In Italy, a similar tradition is called "giurin giurello" or "giurin giuretto/-a". In Maharashtra (India), this concept similarly using Marathi calls this "Gatti fu".
There is also another pinky swear promise made between children in the Isle of Man. It goes: "Make friends, make friends,Never ever break friends,If you do,You'll catch the flu,And that will be the end of you!"