Dapping someone up is a gesture that involves shaking hands in a unique and intricate way that has become popular in certain cultures, especially in the African American community. The gesture is typically accompanied by a verbal greeting such as “What’s up?” or “How you doing?” and is often used as a sign of mutual respect and friendship.
The dap or “dap-up” is believed to have originated in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s as a way for soldiers, particularly African American soldiers, to show camaraderie and unity. The gesture involves a series of movements that can vary depending on the individuals involved, but typically involves the following steps:
- The handshake: The dap starts with a traditional handshake, where two individuals grasp each other’s right hand firmly.
- The grip: The grip is followed by a quick, tight squeeze with both hands. This can be seen as a sign of affection or solidarity.
- The slide: After the squeeze, the hands slide off each other while the fingers interlock. This motion is often accompanied by a snapping sound.
- The pound: Finally, the hands come together in a fist bump or pound, usually with the knuckles of both hands connecting.
The dap has evolved over time and can vary in its complexity and duration, with some individuals adding additional movements or variations to the basic sequence. For example, some people may add a chest bump or shoulder bump to the dap, while others may incorporate a “fist to wrist” motion before the pound.
The dap is often used as a way to show respect and camaraderie among friends, colleagues, or fellow members of a community. It can also be used as a greeting or farewell gesture. The dap is particularly popular among athletes, especially in sports like basketball and football, where it is used to celebrate after scoring a goal or making a big play.
The dap has also become a symbol of resistance and solidarity, particularly in the African American community. During times of social and political unrest, the dap has been used as a way to show support for social justice causes and as a symbol of resistance against systemic oppression.
Despite its popularity, the dap has faced criticism and controversy in some contexts. Some people have argued that the gesture is unprofessional or inappropriate in certain settings, such as in a professional workplace. Others have suggested that the dap reinforces negative stereotypes about African American culture, or that it is exclusionary to those who are not familiar with the gesture.
In conclusion, dapping someone up is a gesture that involves shaking hands in a unique and intricate way that has become popular in certain cultures, especially in the African American community. The dap is believed to have originated as a way for soldiers to show camaraderie and unity, but has since evolved into a way to show respect and solidarity among friends, colleagues, and community members. While the dap has faced criticism and controversy in some contexts, it remains a powerful symbol of friendship, respect, and resistance for many people.
