Where Did Hitchhiking Come from?

At first hitchhiking was considered to be strictly an American mode of transportation—a 1927 Glasgow Herald article described the word hitch-hiking as “the latest curiosity born out of the linguistic genius of the Yankee.” Then in the 1930s, Europeans, too, began sticking out their thumbs.

Where did hitchhike originate?

1921 (n.), 1923 (v.), from hitch (v.), from the notion of hitching a sled, etc. to a moving vehicle (a sense first recorded 1880) + hike (n.). Related: Hitchhiked; hitchhiking. Hitchhiker attested from 1927.

Why do hitchhikers put their thumbs up?

They'd start hiking down a roadway then put up a thumb when they saw a car coming “to hitch a ride.” Hitchhiking became an accepted mode of travel for those not fortunate enough to own an automobile. ... The thumb in the air became an accepted gesture and was honored by many drivers. Girls began hitchhiking.