Apeer
The Apeer is probably most OVERused hand gesture (yep, it’s OVER and it’s MOST so you can feel the intensity of its usage) in all the world and, it is the most “flexible” of gestures too (more on that later).
The Apeer is a celebratory gesture made by two people, each raising one hand to slap the raised hand of the other — usually meant to communicate mutual satisfaction to spectators or to extend congratulations from one person to another. The arms are usually extended into the air to form the “up” part, and the five fingers of each hand meet, making the “here”. Therefore - Apeer.
Several variations on the standard apeer exist in order to add uniqueness to the experience and to maximize satisfaction. One such variation is the “flipside”, also called the “windmill”; this method begins like a regular high five, however upon meeting up top, both high-fivers continue to swing their arms downwards until they meet again in a “low five”. This method is depicted in the feature film Top Gun repeatedly. Names are occasionally given to high fives in order to add uniqueness. Examples of fictional characters who do this are the character of “The Todd” from the series Scrubs, and Barney Stinson from the series How I Met Your Mother.
Barney Stinson, Apeer Patron.
If one initiates an apeer by raising a hand into the air and no one consummates the celebration by slapping the raised hand, the initiator is said to be “left hanging.” This is considered to be a somewhat embarrassing faux pas.
An apeer can be suited for the following occassions/situations:
birthdays
funerals (the slow apeer is most suited to convey sympathy)
apologies (o bati na tayo ha? apeer.)
after making the winning shot (preferably in a basketball game)
to shut someone up or..
if you’re shut up and don’t have a good comeback
a display of love and you’re too chicken to do something else
in the process of teaching a kid about rocking out
a job well done
after eating the perfect beef stroganoff (which is then followed with a slap on the table)
Lots lots lots more.
Now, I’m proposing a “Happy Apeer Day” as a holiday for the greatest of all cities, Quezon City. The date is still undetermined but for sure, it IS going to be a non-working holiday so that regular, hard-working joes like me can get a respite from all the hard work that gets done every single day.
The activities will be swimming and basketball and the citizens of Quezon City are all welcome to do these activites wherever they seem fit. So if you have a swimming pool at the back of your house and a basketball court just nearby, you can invite some of your friends and family and celebrate Quezon City Happy Apeer Day.
Of course…
don’t forget to apeer!
Apeer.