History Main / LyingFingerCross

* ''ComicBook/TheChildrensCrusadeVertigo'': In the ''ComicBook/BlackOrchid'' tie-in, Suzy takes the opportunity in a game of truth or dare to get Junkin Buckley to truthfully answer her a question. Suzy asks him about a rhyme he made up earlier, specifically inquiring if he really meant it when he said "I love you". After Junkin Buckley answers that he meant every word of the poem, the next panel shows him crossing his fingers behind his back.

TruthInTelevision, of course, which is the reason why it works as a visual cue, often in the form of AnInsert. There's a number of guesses out there as to why it became a common gesture for lying, but the general idea is that it somehow either protects you from the [[BoltOfDivineRetribution consequences]] of lying or absolves you from being held to your word to begin with. In real life, this gesture is mainly used by children, especially since it's not a reasonable thing for an adult to do -- someone willing to break perceived rules of propriety and conduct would generally just lie, especially since crossing your fingers risks telegraphing your falsehood to those you're trying to deceive. Therefore, the trope is generally associated with characters who are very young or just act like they are.

* In ''WebComic/AJAndMagnus'', Ebony tells AJ not to use her untested invention and makes him promise not to touch it while she goes see her mom. AJ promises but has his fingers crossed and starts using it. Magnus points out that this trick doesn't actually undo a promise.

* When Franchise/{{Superman}} and Franchise/SpiderMan had an intercompany {{Crossover}}, Supes asked Spidey to turn himself over to the police after their adventure since he was wanted at the time. Spidey shook on it but had his fingers crossed behind his back.

* At the end of the ''WesternAnimation/CampLazlo'' episode "Dirt Nappers", after Camp Kidney gets their diet back, Sampson promises not to use his vacuum cleaner again. As he and Lazlo walk into the sunset, we see him crossing his fingers with one hand and holding his vacuum in the other.

[[caption-width-right:181: "Yeah, actually, I'm not bald. I get my hair cut this way."]]

* ComicBook/TheJoker from ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman'' does this in an episode when making a deal with his nano-tech clone--who does it as well. No points for guessing how the deal went.

** In ''WesternAnimation/SuperMarioWorld'''s "The Night Before Cave Christmas", after Mario (disguised as Santa Claus) rescues Oogtar from being eaten by a Rex, Oogtar hides his fingers behind his back and crosses them as he promises to be a good caveboy for the rest of his life. Mario is aware of this, much to Oogtar's amazement.

* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfSuperMarioBros3'', King Koopa crosses his fingers when he promises Crimewave Clyde half of what the Koopa Kids steal as a reward for teaching them how to commit crimes. Clyde doesn't catch on until it's too late but [[HeelFaceTurn he makes them pay with the help of the Mario Bros.]]
** In ''WesternAnimation/SuperMarioWorld'', Hip and Hop do this when they promise to King Koopa that they won't attend school. [[LaserGuidedKarma Now you know how Clyde feels, Koopa.]]

* The ''Literature/HarryPotter'' fanfic ''Fanfic/BecomingFemale'' has Lucius Malfoy do this when he makes a PinkyPromise with Umbridge, which apparently is a legit loophole that allows him to break the terms.

* In ''[[WesternAnimation/TheLandBeforeTime The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through The Mists]]'', after Littlefoot left with Ali to the Land of Mists, Littlefoot's grandparents warn Cera and the others not to go to the Land of Mists. Cera and the others do this while saying that they won't go there, but because Cera and Spike are both quadrupedal dinosaurs (a Triceratops and Stegosaurus, respectively), [[ItMakesSenseInContext they do this with their hind feet, while Ducky and Petrie play this straight.]]