elbow bump

[ el-boh buhmp ]

noun

1. a gesture of greeting, farewell, friendship, etc., in which two people with forearms drawn in to the torso present their bent arms, and bump each other's elbow or forearm:

   Does an elbow bump really spread fewer germs than a handshake or a high five?

Word History and Origins

Origin of elbow bump¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

That elbow bump greeting was well intentioned, but mostly it felt like an embarrassing jerky display of flailing arms.

From New York Times

Begin to reach out your hand, stop, look as if you just remembered something, then convert your movement to the elbow bump that is now becoming commonplace.

From Washington Post

Give Donald Trump An elbow bump ’Cause when he shakes Your hand it takes A while to end For he can tend To be too slow To let things go.

From Washington Post

People began using new forms of greeting, such as the “elbow bump” or the “footshake” that trended on TikTok and inspired some French ministers to follow suit.

From Seattle Times

If you want, you can offer an alternative gesture of greeting, which could range from a fist bump, an elbow bump, a namaste gesture or the wai gesture of Thailand.

From Seattle Times