<P> Charles Panati believes that the act of crossing one's fingers as a sign of luck or making a wish traces back to pre-Christian times, speculating that the cross was a symbol of unity and benign spirits dwelt at the intersection point . A wish made on a cross was a way of "anchoring" the wish at the intersection of the cross until the wish was fulfilled . </P> <P> The 1787 A Provincial Glossary, with a Collection of Local Proverbs, and Popular Superstitions by Francis Grose records the recommendation to keep one's fingers crossed until one sees a dog to avert the bad luck attracted by walking under a ladder . </P> <P> In Vietnam the gesture is considered rude, especially to another person . Referring to female genitals, it is comparable to the finger in western culture . </P> <P> In German - speaking countries and also Sweden the gesture is only known for vitiating oaths . Wishing for luck is gestured by pressing thumbs . The same gesture is used in many Slavic countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and ex-Yugoslav republics . </P>

Where does the phrase fingers crossed come from