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Depending on your culture it means different things around the world. To some it is a sign for the Devil, to others the sign of the Bull etc. You'll see it quite a bit amongst all groups from rock musicians to American footballers .
Actually, there are two different but similar looking signs here. One is the Hawaiian hang loose sign, which extends the thumb and pinkie. Martial Arts strong connection to Hawaii makes it understandable that you would see it.
But the Devil or rock and roll sign is where the thumb covers the ring and middle finger but the forefinger and pinkie are extended.
That's the limit of my understanding on the subject.
Cheers, Art, for the extra physiological detail. Interesting is it not how what is essentially the same gesture can mean such different things in different cultural contexts?
I have heard that in Italy the sign is an insult, indicating that the recipient is a cuckold. I don't know how true that is - can anyone enlighten us?
Cheers, Art, for the extra physiological detail. Interesting is it not how what is essentially the same gesture can mean such different things in different cultural contexts?
I have heard that in Italy the sign is an insult, indicating that the recipient is a cuckold. I don't know how true that is - can anyone enlighten us?
Sure Sukerkin, as soon as you tell me what a cuckold is!
But the Devil or rock and roll sign is where the thumb covers the ring and middle finger but the forefinger and pinkie are extended.
And, if you're in certain places in the US and Central America -- it's one of the primary handsigns of MS-13.If you live in Texas, that ain't the devil's sign, boy. That means "Hook 'Em, Horns" and is the symbol used to support the University of Texas Longhorns.
Cheers, Art, for the extra physiological detail. Interesting is it not how what is essentially the same gesture can mean such different things in different cultural contexts?
I have heard that in Italy the sign is an insult, indicating that the recipient is a cuckold. I don't know how true that is - can anyone enlighten us?
I thought it was the sign for "get me a beer".
As many know, the 'Peace Sign' in the USA is similar to the 'Up Yours' sign in the UK (or the V for victory). Peace sign is also palm forward, V for Victory is palm inwards.
From what I understand, this comes from the old English army focusing on archers more than any other army in old Europe (in fact, archery was rather looked down on for most of Europe's armies, as it was considered "cowardly" to strike from such a distance). England had a long history of Longbow use, with it being a major component of it's military strategies. As a result, when English archers were captured, they would have the first two fingers of their right hand removed, stopping them from being able to use a bow. The "up-yours" signal was a gesture utilised by the English archers after a battle as a form of taunt ("I've still got these fingers, I'll shoot you tomorrow!"), rather than the aforementioned "up-yours". Anatomically speaking, not quite sure how people think the gesture works that way....