elbow shake

plural elbow shakes

1. Synonym of elbow bump (“touching of elbows as alternative to a handshake”).

   Cholera spread can be reduced by modifying behaviour, especially handshakes. During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014 people stopped shaking hands and used the “Ebola elbow shake”.

   2017 August 10, Kimani Wanjeri, “Handshakes must be banned or minimised”, in Daily Nation

   1 more example

   Notwithstanding measures like the application of alcoholic cleanser (hand sanitizers), which has proved useful at every strategic entry point in the State House, staff members now resort to keeping a safe distance, rather than the hitherto warm handshake, and sometimes, generous hugs, to the now awkward ‘elbow shake’ as a way of exchange of pleasantries.

   2020 March 22, Terhrmba Daka, “India’s “namaste” salutation goes viral in Aso Rock”, in The Guardian

   Synonyms: elbow bump