Definition:
The “thumbs down” gesture is a hand signal used to express disapproval, rejection, or a negative opinion.
Etymology:
The most famous historical context for the thumbs down gesture is its association with Roman gladiatorial games. It is popularly believed that spectators or the emperor would use a thumbs down gesture to signal the death or defeat of a gladiator. However, other sources claim that the gesture might have actually been more complex, with some sources indicating that a thumbs up could mean death and a thumbs down could mean sparing the gladiator. The exact usage remains debated among historians.
Description:
The gesture is made by extending the thumb downward while keeping the other fingers curled into the palm.
Platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and others use the thumbs down symbol as a way for users to indicate their dislike for content. However, platforms like Facebook have decided to only use the thumbs up symbol, and not the thumbs down symbol, as a form of censorship in an attempt to prevent sensitive people from getting their feelings hurt.
The thumbs up and thumbs down gestures symbolize liking and disliking, which are subjective opinions, and not based on whether something is accurate or not.