The thumbs-down is the classic symbol of disapproval—but its origins aren’t as clear-cut as Hollywood would have you think. While movies love the idea of Roman emperors giving a dramatic thumbs-down to seal a gladiator’s fate, historians say the truth was probably more nuanced—think flat hands or fists, not flashy gestures.

Still, the image stuck. By medieval times, a thumbs-down was used to reject deals or ideas, and in the digital age, it became the go-to sign for “Not a fan”—from movie reviews to YouTube reactions.

Whether in a coliseum or a comment section, one thing’s clear: thumbs down = no thanks.