In
Ancient Greece, snapping of fingers was used by musicians and dancers as a way to keep the rhythm and was known with the words "ἀποληκέω" (
apolekeo), "ἀποκρότημα" (
apokrotema) (from the verb "ἀποκροτέω" -
apokroteo, "to snap the fingers") and "ἐπίπταισμα" (
epiptaisma). Finger snapping is still common in modern
Greece. Finger snapping may be used as a substitute for
hand clapping. A possible reason is that snapping is "less disruptive than clapping during speeches and announcements." The practice of finger snapping is also popular within the
poetry slam community, used by the audience as a spontaneous in-the-moment show of support or agreement with what is being shared by the poet. The practice has also seen use at some conferences. Finger snapping played a prominent part in a series of charity appeal adverts for
Make Poverty History in 2005. Many famous faces including
Bono,
Bob Geldof and
Kate Moss took part in the appeals. They wore a white top and Make Poverty History
charity wristband and these appeals were filmed in
grayscale on a white background, and they would click their fingers in the appeal to represent a child dying from
poverty every three seconds in Africa. During the opening of the
Philadelphia Live 8 concert, rapper and actor
Will Smith led the combined audiences of
London, Philadelphia,
Berlin,
Rome,
Paris and
Barrie in a synchronised finger snap. Finger snapping at someone has long been used as a sassy diva gesture, done to express a taunting satisfaction following what one has considered to be an impressive insult or diss. Sometimes finger-snapping is done in rapid succession for emphasis and combined with other types of sassy diva mannerisms, such as
swivel-hipping and head-gyrating. It is largely associated with
gay men and
women, particularly gay black American men and black American women. It was derived in the 1980s and 90s from Black American gay male subcultures. == In pop culture ==