The high five feels instinctive. A quick raise of the hand, a sharp clap, and the moment is sealed—whether it’s after a big win, a successful deal, or a simple greeting. It seems timeless, yet this familiar gesture has a surprisingly recent and debated origin.

While it’s now part of everyday life, the story behind it remains unsettled and far more layered than expected.

One widely accepted version traces the high five to October 2, 1977, during a Los Angeles Dodgers game. On that day, Dusty Baker hit his 30th home run of the season. As he approached home plate, teammate Glenn Burke stood waiting with his hand raised.

Baker reacted without hesitation. He later explained to ESPN in 2020, “His hand was up in the air, and he was arching way back. So I reached up and hit his hand. It seemed like the thing to do.”

That spontaneous action is often credited as the birth of the high five. Still, there’s a gap—no footage exists of the moment. Despite that, Burke is frequently recognized for helping bring the gesture into professional sports culture, where it quickly caught on.

Theories That Complicate the Story

Freepik | Cultural habits and phrases like "gimme five" suggest the high five was an evolution, not an invention.

The Dodgers’ account may be popular, but it isn’t the only explanation. Several earlier and alternative ideas challenge the timeline.

Some reports suggest similar gestures were already used by U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan after World War II. These accounts point to informal celebratory hand slaps that resemble the modern high five.

Others highlight visual parallels in older media. For instance, a scene in the 1960 film “Breathless,” directed by Jean-Luc Godard, appears to show characters exchanging a gesture that looks strikingly similar.

Language and culture also play a role in the discussion. The phrase “gimme five,” rooted in African American Vernacular English, suggests that the motion may have evolved from an already familiar expression. In this view, the high five didn’t suddenly appear—it grew from existing habits and social cues.

A Basketball Story With a Memorable Line

Another strong claim comes from college basketball, specifically the University of Louisville during the 1978–79 season. This version centers on a practice session between teammates Wiley Brown and Derek Smith.

Brown reportedly went in for a traditional low five. Smith stopped him and said, “No. Up high.”

That small adjustment reflected the team’s identity. Known as the “Doctors of Dunk,” Louisville’s style focused on vertical play. Brown later shared with ESPN that the shift made sense: “I thought, yeah, why are we staying down low? We jump so high.”

Brown credited Smith with not only creating the high five but also spreading it beyond the team. The story stands out for its clarity and timing, though it still competes with the baseball narrative.

Why No One Can Agree

Freepik | Whether on the field or in the office, the high five is a universal, wordless gesture of shared success and connection.

The lack of clear evidence keeps the debate open. The 1977 baseball story remains the most cited, largely due to its connection to professional sports and its simple, relatable moment. At the same time, the Louisville basketball version offers a structured origin with a direct quote that feels almost scripted.

Meanwhile, earlier cultural and military references suggest that the gesture may not belong to a single inventor at all. Instead, it may have developed gradually, shaped by different groups and contexts before gaining mainstream attention.

The High Five Today

Regardless of its exact origin, the high five has secured its place across sports, entertainment, and daily interactions. It signals success, connection, and shared excitement without needing words. Its simplicity is part of its appeal, making it easy to adopt and impossible to misinterpret.

Even pop culture has joined the conversation, with references appearing in unexpected places, including a 2019 episode of “American Dad.” These nods only add to the gesture’s cultural reach and ongoing relevance.

The true origin of the high five remains uncertain, and that uncertainty adds to its appeal. Whether it began with Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke in 1977, Derek Smith and Wiley Brown on a college court, or earlier through cultural and social practices, each version contributes to the story.

What stays consistent is its meaning—a quick, shared moment of celebration that continues to connect people across generations.