Here is a list of the non-middle-finger obscene hand gestures that people have told me about. I haven't drawn them all yet. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of any of this information.
Do you know any obscene hand gestures not described in this file? Please email them to me at ekohler@gmail.com! Your name and/or email address will be included with your comments unless you state otherwise.
Good hunting in your quest. I have heard of instances where even Presidents have given thumbs up or #1 hand signals on foreign visits only to be mistaken as a flip off by the local population. A web based clearing house of obscene hand signs of the world may prevent a future war.
Andy Miller
See United States of America.
If the finger goes forward instead of up it is equally offensive in Arab culture. I hpe it adds to your collection of cultural offensive behavior
Well...there's the one that's particularly offensive to Arabs, Turks*, and Greeks. Instead of the middle finger, the index finger is held up along with the phrase, "Yuppa, Yuppa".
Dave Blain djblain@hotmail.com
*See "TURKEY" for a contradiction. -- editor
related to me by a computer contractor from bangladesh once.
a muslim thing, more like a matter of etiquette than a gesture, but showing the sole of your shoe toward someone is considered insulting. an example, as it happened to me & how it came to be explained to me :)
sitting in a chair, in conversation, i crossed one leg over my knee & the sole of my shoe was somewhat toward him. he mentioned it very matter-of-factly, only to mention that in his culture, it would considered insulting. i apologized, but he was dismissive of it, knowing that i did it only as parting of being comfortable :)
In Brazil the "OK" sign is the equivalent of the middle finger.
Daniel Harris dannyboy@subdimension.com
A curio: in Brazil the closed fist with thumb between index and midle finger is not a rude Russian (and German, I've seen it on TV) gesture, it's called "figa" (ancient name is "mano fico"), a lucky charm against the evil eye - just google for "figa amuleto" images.
The OK hand hesture is indeed considered rude in Brazil - and if you clap a hand over a slightly closed hand (as if you're holding a bar), making a popping noise, it's the much ruder "top-top" (youtube (at 1:14) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URI6HNH8rgk )
See "SOUTH/CENTRAL AMERICA"
make a victory sign (v) with palms facing yourself and back of hand toward victim. It means the same as the bird in England.
I was told by a friend in England (alot of English don't even know this!) of the origins of the peace-sign, with the back of the hand facing the person being flipped-off. She told me that in the earlier part of the millenium, when England and France were frequently at battle, the French would cut-off the fingers (necessary for shooting an arrow) from the archers, they had taken as prisoner. After this became known to the english archers, they would flash this gesture to the French in the battle-field, thus telling them that they still had their fingers and could still cause some damage in battle. At the moment, I'm trying to find documentation on this, but I saw your page and thought I might as well share the story.
[Note that the following text is controversial; see below. -- Editor]
I found your page and wanted to correct some information.
When archers were caught, regardless in what conflict they were engaged, it was common-place to cut-off their plucking finger. Notice this is a singular finger because the bows of the day would not have required more than one finger. The bows used were not compound, relying on pulleys to produce extra power; rather, a longer bow was used to increase leverage. The Hundred Years War (1337-1453) enters into the picture when discussing a folktale about the origins of the phrase "fuck you." The story goes that when English soldiers captured French archers, they removed the archers' plucking finger--the middle one. If a French archer was able to escape without that punishment being completed, he would show them his finger and exclaim a slang phrase "Plume-tu!" the next time he was enaged in battle with them. Apparently, the English did not hear so well and bastardized the phrase further to its modern incantation.
Historians more commonly believe the traditional "two-finger" gesture seen most commonly in Europe is meant to signify a woman upside-down; often, tongue-action is added to the gesture to assist the viewer in understanding the sign. The woman is implied to be one's significant other, mother, or some other matron of the family.
I just noticed that you're looking for rude gestures from other cultures. Appropriate to your current surroundings, I believe that a "peace" symbol (I think with the back of the hand facing forward) is rude in England. Last time I flew over, a guy asked for two drinks, and made that sign. The stewardess warned him about possible misunderstanding.
John Jannotti jj@lcs.mit.edu
If you make the "V for victory" sign, such that the curled fingers are facing towards you, (the backs of the two fingers are facing the person) this gesture is offensive in England.
There was an article in a magazine about such gestures, but I don't know where it is any more. I think the "OK" symbol is offensive in some parts of the world, actually.
Tim Park tim@fiction.org
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Oh, I've just remembered another one. The cuckold sign. With you right hand, make the "two-fingers" sign, putting your thumb against the back of your head. This looks a little like a pair of rabbit's ears (OK, with a good dose of imagination). Alternatively, close both hands, and extend the index finger of each. Apply these to the temples. (Like the geeky on in Waynesworld when singing "Foxy Lady").
Both these two gestures are meant to represent horns. When done towards a man, it means "Your wife (or girlfriend) is cheating on you". This sign is widespread in England and in France (don't know about elsewhere).
On the subject of the English "two fingers" sign, I've heard two versions of its origin.
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It is derived from the "Arab Nose Jerk" (though I have not tried to establish the real existence of this gesture in Arab cultures). You close you hand, extend first and middle fingers. Put a finger either side of your nose, with the back of your hand towards the other person. Now gently jerk your hand up and down, so the end of your nose twitches. Note the resemblance with the Italian gesture.
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My preferred story. During the Hundred Years War, between the English and the French, the French boasted that they would win at Agincourt, and cut off the first two fingers of the renowned English bowmen that they were going to take prisoner. Well, the English won, and the French prisoners were made to shuffle pas the English bowmen who taunted them by waving their two fingers that had effectively won the battle.
Keith Rhodes krhodes@teaser.fr
Subject: "Victory" V
There seems to be some misunderstanding about the meaning of different V signs over here in rainy ol' England.
The V with the palm facing away is a sign for peace.
The V with the palm facing towards the oneself is the rude one. This is also the one that comes from English bowmen. This seems to be much less common nowadays though, with the middle finger on it's own coming into greater use.
Gerard XXX@XXX.org.uk
Another gesture would be the one for "Wanker", which involves (usually the right hand) with all the fingers curved like a very, very loosely clenched fist with the thumb and index finger tips touching.
With the hand held at an angle of 45 degrees from the vertical and the palm facing inwards, you then oscillate the hand from the wrist in the appropriate manner.
This may be UK specific and perhaps needed no further description apart from the title... :-)
Ben Curry
P.S.:
THanks for your gesture!
Pleasure, just doing my bit for a multi-cultural society.
The two finger flip off, based on my reading is from the Archers in the 100 years war. The only note I would make is that the Archers were predominantly Welsh. It was a skill that took years to develop. The one post that indicated the bow could be pulled with one finger, well the bow required 90-120 lbs to pull. Tough with two fingers, really hard with one. One easy source is Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_longbow
Tom
It is the sheerest nonsense to assert that to draw a longbow required only one finger. It required three fingers. Numerous examples found on Henry VIII's flagship the Marie Rose prove that the draw of a war longbow required between 150-200lbs pulling power - more than most very strong men today could achieve. The bow was made from a single shaft of yew and could pierce some armour at certain ranges. A good archer could loose ten arrows per minute in a smooth and deadly rhythm. Even if it were possible to draw his bow with one finger, he would not have done so, as the longbow technique is instinctive and natural, and the index, middle and ring fingers naturally fall into place. Compound bows that rely on pullies drastically reduce the strength required to draw them. It requires far more strength to draw a longbow.
Men were trained to the bow from youth in the middle ages in England and Wales and were obliged to practice weekly at the "butts". The word "butt" is still found today in many English villages as part of the name of the field where archers used to practice, or the lane or path leading to it.
The longbow is an important part of our history. The first time I drew one I felt the most uncanny thrill run through my body and an overwhelming feeling that I had been "there" before. Your correspondent should restrict his comments to something he knows something about.
. . .
BTW The same goes for his pseudo-erudite comment on the insult "Fuck you". Fuck derives from several similar nordic words and means, yes, fuck!
Tim Scott
just wanted to tell you that people on the streets of Germany will also recognize the gesture for what it is meant for in Russia.
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Was that the fist with the raised middle finger? Yes this means fuck you over here (a raised cock with balls). Same as the russian one with the thumb between index and middle finger (more the process of fucking - a cock in a vagina...). Usually you also move the thumb a little up and down in there ;-)
Cheers!
Anonymous anonymous@anonymous.de
A DISSENTING VIEW:
Hi. I just checked your rude gestures website because I was planning on traveling to Europe soon. I wish to inform you that the German middle finger is erroneous on your page. That is actually how the Germans wish for good luck (kind of how you Americans cross your fingers over each other).
Min Jae Kim
10 years ago while in Ghana, Africa, we were instructed not to make the palm up gesture for come here (with all fingers or just 1) but rather to hold hand palm down a "wave" four fingers towards self. The 1st is the way you call a whore.
Kristy [2006]
See "ENGLAND".
Here's another one for you. I got it from "How to Hold a Crocodile" (Diagram group). I'm quoting it from memory, and I've not read this entry for about three years, but I think I've got it down accurately... You should be able to find a copy in a library, in any case.
In Greece, there is a sign called "moutza", that means "go to the devil" (although it's taken to be more offensive than this phrase in the UK).
1st degree (mildly offensive) Fist closed, except for index and middle finger extended. Back of hand towards self.
2nd degree Hand open, palm towards other person.
3rd degree Both hands open, arms extended towards other person, as if pushing him away.
4th degree Both hands open, arms extended towards other person (as 3rd degree). Also, one foot extended towards other person.
5th degree (extremely offensive) (must be sitting to do this) Both hands open, arms extended towards other person (as 3rd degree). Both feet extended towards other person.
Keith Rhodes krhodes@teaser.fr
I know a Greek rude gesture. Basically you show the back of your hand to the one who you wish to offend and flop your arm up and down once.
See also Dave Blain's message under "ARAB CULTURE".
One hand gesture my mother taught me was "cutis." It has an Indian (Hindu) meaning accosiated with it. First, make your hand into a fist with the thumb sticking out. Second, hold up your thumb to your two front teeth, put the nail into your mouth, and flick it. While doing this say "Cutta". It is basiclly fuck you and your family too.
Krisya Spulio
The gesture is described most accurately, although one says "Kutti" (pronounced "cut-tea"; cut rhymes with "hut", and sometimes "put"), not "Cutta". Only kindergarten-going kids use it, and it just means that they are cross with you. I have used it often in my childhood. I have forgotten the make-up gesture though, although I do remember it includes saying "Ubba" (pronounced "ub-bah"; "ub" rhymes with "pub").
In fact, you could consider adding a "Kutti" gesture (the graphic showing a still from the "Kutti" gesture, as well as the text "kutti") and when the user clicks on it, instead of "phew", you could have the text as "ubba".
Sarthak Parikh
Some gestures I have found are the "thumbs-up" which is obscene in Iran. It literally means "go screw yourself". Middle811@aol.com
In Iran, the rude gesture would be the usual american "thumb up". a double thumb up would be even more rude. Sometimes the gesturer would bend his thumb finger backwards (as much as they can) when doing a thumb-up to make it more offensive. This causes some problems (a minor one though) between Western tourists and local population. and thanks for publishing xwrits! with best wishes
Masoud Sharbiani masouds@oeone.com
a rude hand gesture in israel is to point down at your upturned palm with the forefinger of your other hand. This means "grass will grow on my hand" before the words of the speaker come true.
In Italy, a reverse V sign, with knuckles facing the viewer, also means fuck you. A variation of this gesture is to insert your nose at the crotch of the V. The "variation" is perhaps the original gesture. I gather that the nose is supposed to be a penis and the V a woman's private parts. Or rather spread legs.
Name withheld by request
In italy we have the 'umbrella gesture', which usually means 'take this whole arm in your ass', used to enfatize happiness on someone else's troubles, like when winning a challenge or when something bad happens to the 'enemy'. It is not considered really offensive, as with time it has lost it's meaning and now it is just a 'i-am-so-happy-that-you-are-losing' gesture.
One arm needs to be pointed out as a straight line, closed fist facing up (the position is the same one used to show veins in the arm before taking an injection). The palm of the other arm slaps the juncture of the straight arm, so that the straight arm bends till it reaches a 90' angle (or something less than that).
This is easily explained (i hope) The palm is the back of the poor one that gets fisted, blocking the juncture not to let the arm enter more. This to show a complete penetration (how romantic).
Since my explanation is really hard to understand i'll try to 'draw' the scene (as someone over the person would see):
first: then:
o
| o
| o /
= | o---.
| | | |
There a very old video of an italian rebel, prisoner of war, forced to march with the german soldiers in front of Hitler and other generals of the nazi army, like in a parade (this was done to show to everyone the prisoners that germany could win). In this video the old man does the umbrella gesture to the generals, knowing that in germany this gesture has no meaning, but really meaningful for the other italian p.o.w.
I hope that this piece of news was interesting and useful for your list!
Tommaso Gagliardi m_0@autistici.org
-- i think its italian --
partially close your hand, not quite curling the fingers, then bring your fingertips upward against your neck (knuckles face recipient), kind of popping off the end of the chin, then holding the slightly bent hand up at the recipient. maybe a little forward emphasis of the hand for a little extra oomph.
if i'm remembering this correctly, an accompanying profanity is "fongul!" (spelling?)
about the gestures file, and the italian ones, i'd like to add some information.
First, the popping off gesture below the chin, means something on the lines of "i couldn't care less" and is often repeated 2-3 times rapidly. "Fongul!" should stand for the more standard "(vaf)fanculo!", meaning "fuck off", which depending on regional speech could change into "fangul" or similar. So afaik it's not really related to the gesture.
Also, the cuckold (or horns) sign, which has many meanings in Italy: it can work as a plain and unspecified insult (not very vulgar in this case, like a very mild middle finger in fact), other than the cuckold meaning (we say somebody is "horned" in this case). It's also used as a scaramantic gesture (to ward off bad luck - horns are somewhat regarded as a good luck sign) usually pointing downwards and possibly giving some shakes with the arm (as to pierce something). In this field there's also another gesture, not obscene in meaning but not even exactly elegant in form, that is touching or grasping one's genitals (done by just men afaik) to counter a bad omen or event.
I hope to have been useful! Simone
See also "SHAKESPEARE".
In Japan, inserting the thumb between the first two fingers, in imitation of the clitoris, means something like fuck you.
Name withheld by request
If you're in Korea (or around Koreans), NEVER play "got your nose" with little kids: If you make a fist and put your thumb between your index finger and middle finger, you're essentially saying "fuck you." I've also been told, but have not really verified that if you stick your thumb between your middle finger and ring finger you're essentially saying "fuck you in the ass."
Rude enough?
Ivon Katz ivon@imagination.co.kr
This is probably quite common worldwide, but a nice dutch gesture goes like this: hold a hand horizontaly with the index finger extended, now run the index finger across your throat: voilá, you've just showed someone that you're going to slit his/her throat. You can do it with all fingers extended, but this is more often regarded as simple "shut up".
Lennaert
Waving your index finger in a curl towards you as in telling people to "come here." This is how you call a dog in the Philippines! If the authorities catch you doing this, they will arrest you and break your finger! This is my travel mini-advisory, especially for Americans and other travellers. Avoid it at all costs!
Brian Velasco BVel111575@aol.com
In Poland we use the same as Russia - but it's not too offensive. The correct & polish fuck-you-gesutre takes your whole arms to do ...
Put your right forearm horizontally and close to your body. Flex your left arm. Put your right wrist on the inside of the elbow. Here you are.
Michal Pasternak doc@safenet.pl
in russian it is a clenched fist with the thumb going between the first and second fingers(i think kinda like an m in sign language altho i fergot m,n,t, its one of those....i think)
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hi yan,
would you normally show this to someone with the back of the hand facing them, or the palm side?
its with a clenched fist with the thumb facing towards the person
Yan Pritzker skwp@thepentagon.com
In Russia, to give someone the raspberry you curl the hand into a loose fist with the tip or 1st joint of the thumb poking out betweem the index and middle finger. It's kind of a smart-aleck school kids' raspberry like sticking out your tongue at them, or a way of saying, "so what?" The college kids in my Russian family use it all the time, and laugh rudely.
kcmartin
close your hand into a fist with your thumb sticking out over the top. place the tip of the thumb behind your front two teeth, then pop it out at your recipient.
I recall this gesture from Romeo and Juliet in English lessons, which means it may well be Italian in origin. Here's a relevant quote:
Sam. Nay, as they dare. I wil bite my Thumb at them,
which is a disgrace to them, if they beare itAbra. Do you bite your Thumbe at vs sir?
Samp. I do bite my Thumbe, sirAbra. Do you bite your Thumb at vs, sir?
Sam. Is the Law of our side, if I say I?
Gre. NoSam. No sir, I do not bite my Thumbe at you sir: but
I bite my Thumbe sir
P.S. I found your GESTURES file very useful.
Tom Adams
--Flicking someone off--the preferred way to do it in Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela (most of south/central america) is with the pointer and ring fingers bent at the first knuckle, and the knuckles slightly ahead of the finger--thus symbolizing genatalia.
--Whereas this gesture is perceived as a dismissive "nevermind" in the US, throwing your palm-down hand towards the ground (bending your wrist) is interpreted in latin cultures as implying that someone is homosexual--and a sure-fire way to start a fight.
--Holding your hands, palms in and slightly down, at sternum level and shaking them (rotationally) is similar in meaning to shaking your head, but is also fairly dismissive and impolite.
Phillip O. Knoll pknoll@gac.edu
perhaps the most typical Spanish gesture is the horns one: with the palm facing you, index and little fingers raised while the middle ones are held by the thumb. This means cuckold, and it's considered quite rude.
A typical joke is to put the horns on a companion's head when you're standing for a photo, usually when he is ahead of you and looking at the camera, so he can't notice it until he sees the photo (better don't try this with someone you don't have familiarity enough).
Other gestures, like the middle finger one and the "umbrella"* (we call it "sleeve cut") are widely used.
Anonymous xxx@xxx.org
*For "umbrella", see "ITALY" above.
we don't make that "Yuppa, Yuppa" sound, it doesn't even have a meaning in Turkish.. [refers to Dave Blain's message under "ARAB CULTURE" -- editor]
we don't really make any sounds other than the snapping you hear when you lick your arm, and hold your fist with the other hand-then snap it (this kids do, cos it's way too exaggerated)
the middle finger is a classic here too :) another one is a fist, with the thumb stuck between the index and middle fingers ,facing you....
Anonymous gokce@gumur.com
This is from the old west,
Hold out your hand in an acute angle, and clench your fists. This is a generic fighting sign. as in put up your dukes. Lets fight!
Bobby
I ran across your list of hand gestures (never knew about cuckold) and I'm surprised this one wasn't listed:
"Beating Off" - holding one hand curved (as if holding a penis) and waving it back & forth or up & down as if "jerking off". Means "I could care less".
Susan Moody
this really isnt that offensive in today's american society considering everyone is open to sex and teenagers are even starting to have sex at early ages but if a male does it to a 'civilized' female it could be taken in offense called "the shocker" palm towards yourself with pinky, middle, and index finger extended its referring to mastubating a women two fingers in the vagina and one in the anus p.s. i can only do it with my right hand
taylor
I am almost 70. As a boy, if we thought a girl might go all the way we would ask by getting her to shake hands. During the hand shake we take the index finger and tickle her palm. If she agrees to do it, she tickles back. A funny thing, If you do this to a female today, who has never heard of this practice, She still knows what it means. Try it.
As a boy I lived in Illinois, Indiana, and Arizona and the sign was valid in all three states.
I'm not sure which country the following gesture comes from, but my guess is somewhere in Africa or middle-east, correct me if I'm wrong. I heard this from a "User Interfaces" course lecturer. Ok, the gesture: If you casually raise your hand meaning to say 'hi' with your open palm facing another person, it means 'I throw dirt on your face'. I hear this is a rather harsh insult. Comparable to 'fuck you' or even worse.
I recall that some version of MSWindows has this gesture as a "stop" or "attention" sign. Wonder what they might think of it... :)
Heikki Junnila heikki.junnila@nemo.fi