Dapping Up: The Popular Gesture Among Men
If you have gone through any sports events or meetups with your male friends, you would have witnessed the gesture termed as “dapping up”. It’s a popular form of greeting or bonding gesture among men that involves a series of quick handshakes, fist bumps, and intricate hand slap combinations. Dapping up has become trendy, with several variations and meanings worldwide, added up to its intrinsic values of camaraderie, respect, and acknowledgment.
What is Dapping Up?
The term dapping up has no etymological origin, but it is widely believed that it’s an urban slang derived from “tap” or “dap”, which means to touch salutation. Dapping up is a cultural phenomenon of greeting people, especially in a male-dominated atmosphere. It’s an established form of communication among friends, colleagues, and sportsmen, where they acknowledge each other’s presence and mutual respect.
How to Dap Up?
Dapping up is not a standardized gesture, so it depends on the player’s preference and the environment in which it is executed. The most common dapping up gesture involves a handshake accompanied by a fist bump or a mysterious combination of hand-slapping and fist-bumping or even hugging. A simple, yet classic way of dapping up is to give a handshake and fist-bump, followed by a pat on the back. One thing to keep in mind is that a strong grip and eye contact are the key elements of a firm dap.
History of Dapping Up
The exact timeline of dapping up is not clear, but most historians believe that it was initiated by African-American soldiers during World War II as a form of greeting and acknowledgement. It was initially use to boost morale, and following the war, it became a part of black culture and social interaction. Soon after, dapping up expanded beyond the black community and gained popularity among the military, sports teams, fraternities, and other fraternities, where it became a symbol of brotherhood, respect, and bonding.
Variations of Dapping Up
As previously stated, dapping up has no standardized form, and hence the variations of dapping up are innumerable. Some of the variations include;
1. The Classic: A simple, yet classic way of dapping up is to give a handshake and fist-bump, followed by a pat on the back.
2. Knuckles: The knuckles are a popular variation of dapping up, where people greet each other by connecting their knuckles while holding their thumbs up.
3. Double snap: The double snap is a great way of greeting old friends, where you two pull in for an embrace and snap twice.
4. Finger bumps: Finger bumps is a more subtle way of greeting and used when the situation is not very informal. The two people bump their fingers together.
5. The Flurry: The flurry includes a series of quick handshakes, fist bumps, and intricate hand slap combinations. The Flurry is a showy dap that is only used in informal situations.
Dapping Up FAQs
1. Is Dapping Up Only for Men?
Dapping up is popular among the male community, although some women also dap up. Still, they often use a different variation of the gesture.
2. Should you always dap up?
It’s always best to read the environmental cues before dapping up because not everyone is comfortable with the gesture. Dapping up is best used among friends and informal situations.
3. Is Dapping Up exclusive to the Black Community?
While dapping up originated from the black community, it’s an accepted gesture among people from all races and nationalities.
4. Can you get it wrong?
Dapping up is not a standardized gesture, and hence it’s difficult to get it wrong. But, it’s important to remember that a strong grip and eye contact are essential elements of a firm dap.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dapping up is a powerful gesture that denotes camaraderie, respect, and mutual acknowledgment. Dapping up has become a popular form of communication in many fields and is widely accepted among people of all races and nationalities. It’s a simple yet effective way of establishing bonds with someone, and the variations of dapping up are innumerable. So, make sure to dap up with your close friends and colleagues to show your respect and to establish a firm bond.