Word to the Wise.

When you wish hard for something, you cross your fingers.
When you are lying about something, but want an "out", you cross your fingers behind your back while saying it...

I'm not sure, in his column about the disappointing May job numbers and what the future holds, if Paul Krugman understands the distinction, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of doubt. Still, you'd think someone (like an editor) might have questioned him if he really meant to use that phrase here:

Friday’s employment report was a major disappointment: only 38,000 jobs added, a big step down from the more than 200,000 a month average since January 2013.
...
The evidence of a U.S. slowdown should worry you. I don’t see anything like the 2008 crisis on the horizon (he says with fingers crossed behind his back), but even a smaller negative shock could turn into very bad news, given our political gridlock.

If you like where the economy is and what Krugman predicts (fingers crossed, behind his back) is coming around again here, then vote for the Washington status quo. If not, vote for a candidate who represents Change, understands what a tall task he is promising, and seems tough enough to work hard to fight for it.

None of this "Obama... Out!" months and months before he is scheduled to stop collecting his generous paychecks...