Etymograph

English

high five

From high + five.

A compound of high + five

Proto-Indo-European *kewk- ‘to bend’

Proto-Germanic *hauhaz

Proto-West Germanic *hauh

Old English hēah ‘high’

Middle English high

English high

Proto-Indo-European *pénkʷe

Proto-Germanic *fimf

Proto-West Germanic *fimf

Old English fīf

Middle English fyf

English five

The story

The five refers to the five fingers of each hand.

Today it means

noun A gesture of celebration or victory in which two people slap the palms of their hands together at shoulder height or higher.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / high five