Thumbs up!

The origins of the 'thumbs up' gesture are hotly debated, with theories ranging from the audience verdict on Roman gladiators, a medieval business custom to seal a deal, or a Chinese gesture for '(you're) number 1', later observed and popularised by American pilots. I like the idea that it goes right back to our simian origins, an appreciation of the huge befits we enjoy from our opposable thumbs.

Of course, not every one understands it the same way: the gesture means 'man' in Japanese sign language (with woman, naturally, being the little finger!), whilst in Iran it's very rude, the equivalent of 'giving the middle finger' elsewhere.

Certainly in western culture, the thumbs up is pretty universal, not least for the blue thumb indicating 'liking' something on Facebook.

Unfortunately a footballing clash of heads and awkward fall left me with this dislocated and increasingly blue thumb and most of last night in A&E. The pain was unpleasant, and the six hour wait certainly not liked by me (and even less by Katti who had just finished a twelve hour shift in the same hospital).

Happily, for the great NHS staff at the centre of it - who triaged, scanned, re-located and patched it up, with humour and sympathy despite the unsocial hour and the queue behind us - it's certainly a very heartfelt thumbs up!