Hand Signals

            I enjoy words, but I also believe that a lot of communication takes place using hand gestures, and I think it would be helpful – or at least interesting – the provide you with a sort of dictionary of these signals. (I am, by choice, not including those used by referees in noting fouls.)

 

·      The most obvious is the raised middle finger, an act universally known as “giving the finger.” The origins probably go back to the digit used in providing digital sex, but how it came to have the tone of contempt now associated with the finger is not clear to me. Maybe the suggestion that digital sex is the only kind the recipient of the gesture can provide?

 

·      The Italians, I believe, have a version of the finger called, I believe, “the figs.” You insert your thumb between the index and middle finger so the tip is sticking out. I have no idea where this comes from, but the Italians have so many hand gestures . . ..

 

·      A raised index finger has an altogether different meaning – usually something like, “Wait a second, please.” I picture someone speaking on the cell phone gesturing to a live person that the phone call is more important. You can probably picture the facial expression that goes with this gesture.

 

·      On a lighter note, there is the pantomime of writing on a pad which tells a waiter that you would like the check. This dates back to the days when checks were actually written and not typed on a small screen.

 

·      “Shhhhh!” The index finger across the mouth shows that sound should be blocked. The sound may be the end of the word “hush,” but that’s just a guess.

 

·      One of my favorites is the gesture you often see young people make: Behind the back of the unknowing person, raise two fingers in the approximate shape of horns. Kids do this to declare a kind of superiority over the victim. Little do they know that, historically, these are the horns of the cuckold – the man whose wife is sleeping with someone other than her husband, who knows about it and either enjoys it or is too weak to stop her.

 

·      Some hand gestures are entirely sarcastic. Think of wiping tears away or maybe the sad violin pantomime: “Boo-hoo! Poor me!”

 

·      On the other hand, the tapping of the chest over the heart shows the loving thought is received, and that’s entirely sincere. Also, largely if not entirely sincere, is pointing at your eyes and then strongly pointing at another person, to say, “I’m watching you!” A serious hard stare drives this one home.

 

·      One of my favorites is pointing two fingers at your eyes, then firmly pointing the index finger at the other person to let him or her know that you will be watching and judging, so better do what you said.

 

·      And finally, there’s the slit throat gesture. Depending on how it is delivered, it can mean either Time to end the scene or event, or "You’re Done!"