The frequency with which the word "hand", in various combinations, occurs in our language is quite astonishing. Hands have long been symbols. For example, in ancient Egypt they denoted fortitude, and in ancient Rome fidelity. Concord was represented by clasped hands. Among some Greek philosophers an open hand signified eloquence, while a closed one signified a dialectical argument.
In modern society the significance of hands expanded vastly. In the industrial revolution factory workers became hands. Among farriers, the height of a horse was expressed in hands, one hand being four inches, and that habit has continued. Card players habitually held a hand and played a hand. Experienced people became known as old hands, and knowledge could be reckoned as first-hand or second-hand. It seems that only recently have hands-on management and hands-off management become terms in the business fraternity.
Something adjacent was to hand, and something done by hand despised the use of machinery. Those giving close assistance became right-hand men or women, and many hands made light work, although off-hand work was characterised by a careless attitude. Independent individuals demanded a free hand, while a hopeful suitor sought the hand of a partner in marriage from her parents.
If an emergency arose at sea, the cry went up, "All hands to the pumps!" In other circumstances the cry, "Hands up, and hand over your watch!" was sinister in the extreme. In more civilised situations, imposing a hand on the head of another denoted blessing and adoption.
One habit, widespread throughout the world, is to clasp the hand of another in your own, and perhaps shake it. Sometimes the object was to prevent a potential adversary from drawing a weapon, hence the habitual right-hand grasp, something which might also convey a secret sign from one person to another who might or might not belong to the same conspiracy. Usually the hand grip expressed a promise or a confirmation of an agreement. According to a study recently carried out at the University of Alabama, and reported in the Lancet for July 15, a firm handshake is well calculated to make a favourable impression on its recipient, while a flabby one does the opposite. The firm hand-shaker is thought to be more extravert and expressive than the feeble and flabby one.
The advice offered by the researchers is always to employ a firm grip on the hand of a business associate or a mere friend, to inspire confidence and give reassurance. However, they remark that the act is often automatic and may often be performed without due thought. Although the feeble grip may denote shyness, insecurity or anxiety, it has a limited place in polite society.
It is always advisable to observe whether your opposite number may have some disability. Try applying a firm grip to the hand of someone suffering from arthritis of the fingers and you may find yourself regretting it when your companion squirms and grimaces involuntarily, or even turns pale.