What's this hand gesture called? - Page 2

cympreni · 03-13-2009, 02:14 PM

I just found this interesting article on hand gestures. It's weird to think that some of the most innocent hand gestures here can be insulting somewhere else.

shellibean · 03-13-2009, 02:16 PM

Yes, the "shocker" is very popular around here. (the hand gesture- not the real deal...)

Gemini13 · 03-13-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shellibean

Yes, the "shocker" is very popular around here. (the hand gesture- not the real deal...)

LOL! I was just imagining someone posting- "yes, the shocker is very popular in our household!"

Gemini13 · 03-13-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cympreni

I just found this interesting article on hand gestures. It's weird to think that some of the most innocent hand gestures here can be insulting somewhere else.

Interesting... They didn't explain #7, the "V" very well- it's the same as giving someone the finger.

jeepcurlygurl · 03-13-2009, 02:35 PM

In my family it's called the mal occhio and is used to curse someone else or to protect yourself from the evil eye.
I have a silver one hanging from my earring right now.

KookyCurl · 03-13-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgercurls

Um, so the way I've seen it lately a lot in people's pictures (on Facebook, etc.) is with both the pointer and middle finger extended and close together, the ring finger down, and the pinky out. So I looked it up. Apparently it's called the shocker, and it's very vulgar! (If you're really curious - and not faint of heart - look it up on Wikipedia.)

Had to think on that one for a minute but yes...it's gross. Oddly though if the thumb is out and then held parallel to the body (fingers up) that's the symbol priests use to make the sign of the cross on someone. Usually the other one has the thumb in and is going sideways.

Eilonwy · 03-13-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgercurls

Apparently it's called the shocker, and it's very vulgar! (If you're really curious - and not faint of heart - look it up on Wikipedia.)

Well it's not work safe, but I don't think it's that offensive.

badgercurls · 03-13-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eilonwy

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgercurls

Apparently it's called the shocker, and it's very vulgar! (If you're really curious - and not faint of heart - look it up on Wikipedia.)

Well it's not work safe, but I don't think it's that offensive.

I don't find it offensive, I find it vulgar. Mostly, I didn't want someone looking it up at work, though!

Cynaminbear · 03-13-2009, 03:13 PM

I like this smilie.

Who Me? · 03-13-2009, 04:57 PM

First of all, do NOT confuse the symbol picture (with the pinky and the pointer figure up) with a hand gesture with just the pinky and the thumb up. The first means "rock on" or something of the sort, and the latter means "hang loose" and is very surfer. So, the former=rock, and the latter=surfer. Very different. :-)

Apparently the former (the one in the picture) shouldn't have the thumb out, but if the thumb is also out it doesn't really mean anything different (in current pop culture, at least), it's just an incorrect "rock on".

And neither should be confused with the "shocker", which is indeed very vulgar. It looks like the picture, except also the middle figure is extended.

Finally, someone asked what a closed fist pounded into the chest means--anyone care to explain that? I'd describe it as a tough-guy show of solidarity/support.

wild_sasparilla · 03-13-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Who Me?

First of all, do NOT confuse the symbol picture (with the pinky and the pointer figure up) with a hand gesture with just the pinky and the thumb up. The first means "rock on" or something of the sort, and the latter means "hang loose" and is very surfer. So, the former=rock, and the latter=surfer. Very different. :-)

Apparently the former (the one in the picture) shouldn't have the thumb out, but if the thumb is also out it doesn't really mean anything different (in current pop culture, at least), it's just an incorrect "rock on".

And neither should be confused with the "shocker", which is indeed very vulgar. It looks like the picture, except also the middle figure is extended.

Finally, someone asked what a closed fist pounded into the chest means--anyone care to explain that? I'd describe it as a tough-guy show of solidarity/support.

Yeah, it does - most everyone I know thinks of that sign with the thumb out as "I love you." It apparently comes from American Sign Language, didn't know that until someone said so, lol.

And yeah, the chest pound thing is basically "I feel ya, man" from what I've seen.

shellibean · 03-13-2009, 11:39 PM

The two pounds to the chest & raise of the peace sign to me means, "Love y'all & I'm OUT!" AKA: Dueces out!

The New Black · 03-14-2009, 06:25 AM

Re: chest pounding, didn't Sammy Sosa do something like that all the time?

medussa · 03-14-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wild_sasparilla

Quote:

Originally Posted by Who Me?

Apparently the former (the one in the picture) shouldn't have the thumb out, but if the thumb is also out it doesn't really mean anything different (in current pop culture, at least), it's just an incorrect "rock on".

Yeah, it does - most everyone I know thinks of that sign with the thumb out as "I love you." It apparently comes from American Sign Language, didn't know that until someone said so, lol.

I used to sign "I love you" to my son, as he got on the bus every morning because, heaven forbid, his friends heard me.

Then another member (Munchy) informed me that the ILY is often confused with a gang symbol.

WileE-Dead · 03-14-2009, 02:32 PM

SpunkyCurls · 03-16-2009, 08:22 AM

When I went to freshman orientation at UT, my roommate was from Pennsylvania.

We went to a session that explained all of the traditions and such, including the hook'em sign. She looked at me relieved after that and said, "After I accepted UT, I was a little worried because I started getting all of these brochures with students showing 'the devil sign' and I was worried that either it was a school of heavy metal fans or devil worshippers!"

I just about fell over laughing.