Usage and Origins: The posterior of one person is gently patted by another person’s hand.
The butt pat gesture originated in American football. Experts speculate that the original intent was a traditional pat on the shoulder to signify that a good play was carried out. However, since the shoulder pads used in football are necessarily massive, pats to the shoulder went unnoticed by the player. The most viable alternative to the shoulder must have been the posterior, and this gesture has been a congratulatory one ever since.
You will rarely see the butt pat gesture employed by a woman, nor are you likely to see it used in polite company off the playing field. Due to the seemingly intimate nature of this gesture and the fact that it comes about during the intensely passionate course of a competitive game, it is imperative to use this gesture only in the accepted realm-that is, the sporting arena.
Region: North Americans and Europeans use this gesture quite often, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find it elsewhere. The rest of the world seems to fall back on more commonplace gestures of celebration when a teammate makes a tough play, such as a hug.
Environment: As previously mentioned, this is a gesture that is only to be used during a sporting event, on the playing field, whether the field is Shea Stadium or your backyard. Users could be professionals in full-gear or friends in jeans and T-shirts.
Execution: The butt pat is a gesture that involves two people.
1. Approach another person, usually a teammate, from behind.
2. Place one hand loosely at your side, palm forward, fingers together.
3. Quickly slap the bottom of the other person’s butt, usually toward the outer edge.
4. Offer a verbal compliment regarding the player’s skill on the field.
