# Flashing gang hand signs in photos - can anyone begin to explain this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 12, 2013, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841 "2013-06-12T19:43:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/21 "2013-06-13T12:30:57Z")
> [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](#): > > To each their own. I get your confusion. It’s like how I don’t understand people who feel the need to try to make jokes every.single.chance they get on messageboards just so a few people will tell them how funny they are. It’s like they heard Michael Jordan talk about making so many baskets because he TRIED making so many baskets and they apply that to their joke telling (in)abilities. They inexplicably continue their hurdy durdy despite looking like a complete idiot more often than not. The balm for what chafes you is just an “ignore” button away, duckie. Don’t worry, can can always fling your little spitballs at me anonymously. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/22 "2013-06-13T13:54:15Z")
I think it’s because wearing coonskin fur coats and saying “[23 skidoo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23_skidoo_%28phrase%29)” no longer works. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/23 "2013-06-13T14:08:35Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > [This](http://www.thedailyrash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2246139572_86f25b0f1a.jpg), [this](http://www.thedailyrash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/suburb-gang-signs.jpg), and [this](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-laSf8_agJak/T0PaaiVKHPI/AAAAAAAAAKA/bv5wDCj2iSU/s1600/Julia+Allison+White+Chick+with+a+Gang+Sign.jpg) are good examples of what I’m talking about. > mmm What gangs are those signs for? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/24 "2013-06-13T14:43:29Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > [This](http://www.thedailyrash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2246139572_86f25b0f1a.jpg), [this](http://www.thedailyrash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/suburb-gang-signs.jpg), and [this](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-laSf8_agJak/T0PaaiVKHPI/AAAAAAAAAKA/bv5wDCj2iSU/s1600/Julia+Allison+White+Chick+with+a+Gang+Sign.jpg) are good examples of what I’m talking about. > mmm I hereby partially retract my earlier statement to “_most_ people probably don’t think they’re throwing gang signs and are more likely just throwing a “whut whut” sign or trying to do hip hop hands.” That guy in the middle picture sure looks like he’s trying to imitate throwing a gang sign, for reasons I can only guess at: trying to be funny, or trying to convery to the viewer that damn, it feels good to be a gangster, or perhaps that it ain’t nothing but a G thing, baby. The woman on the left may be giving the devil horns, or reppin’ her set the University of Texas. > [@BigT](#): > > I don’t see a single example of the signs people actually do in the photos. Yeah, pretty sure the examples given were intended to be representative rather than exhaustive. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/25 "2013-06-13T14:54:36Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > They’re just doing it to be Shocking. Ha, that’s a whole other different hand sign… > [@BubbaDog](#): > > I think it’s because wearing coonskin fur coats and saying “[23 skidoo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/23_skidoo_%28phrase%29)” no longer works. Yeah, they all say “Audi 5000, G” or some variant thereof these days. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/26 "2013-06-13T17:26:34Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What gang signs, specifically, do you see your friends holding up? > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What gangs are those signs for? Not sure where you’re coming from, but neither authenticity nor knowledge of gang hand signs are requirements to be a gangsta wanna-be. mmm ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/27 "2013-06-13T17:39:26Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Not sure where you’re coming from, but neither authenticity nor knowledge of gang hand signs are requirements to be a gangsta wanna-be. True. You either have to pretend to kill somebody, or let your homies pretend to beat the shit out of you. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/28 "2013-06-13T17:45:51Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Not sure where you’re coming from, but neither authenticity nor knowledge of gang hand signs are requirements to be a gangsta wanna-be. > mmm You appear to be under the impression that any hand signal is a gang sign. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/29 "2013-06-13T18:46:50Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > What gangs are those signs for? The first woman is flashing the Latin Kings sign. The guy in the second picture, as I noted above, seems to be mixing half a Bloods sign with a Crips sign. The woman in the second picture may be doing a “Westside” sign but, if so, it’s not the usual one. The woman in the third picture is doing the victory sign, which is used by gang members but is almost common with lots of other people. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/30 "2013-06-13T19:08:56Z")
Incidentally, the signs being thrown in [this photo](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:George_W._Bush_and_Jeff_Mad_Dog_Madden.jpg) identify the subjects as possible members of [MS-13](http://mafiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/sanctionsagainstMS-13.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/31 "2013-06-13T19:14:15Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The first woman is flashing the Latin Kings sign. Yeah, it’s far more likely that a suburban white chick is doing the Latin Kings sign than the _molocchio_. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/32 "2013-06-13T19:35:43Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > They’re just doing it to be Shocking. I want to post a link to a pic of that Jane’s Addiction album, but I won’t because, boobs.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nature\_s\_Call](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nature_s_call/32/19006_2.png) [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/33 "2013-06-13T19:38:02Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > [This](http://www.thedailyrash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2246139572_86f25b0f1a.jpg), [this](http://www.thedailyrash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/suburb-gang-signs.jpg), and [this](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-laSf8_agJak/T0PaaiVKHPI/AAAAAAAAAKA/bv5wDCj2iSU/s1600/Julia+Allison+White+Chick+with+a+Gang+Sign.jpg) are good examples of what I’m talking about. > mmm And [this](http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac102/biscuit314/VA%20Scavenger%20Hunt/SS-01-Aseniorcitizenthrowinggangsig.jpg)? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/34 "2013-06-13T19:51:13Z")
The individuals in [this photo](http://blog.collegebars.net/uploads/president-bush-shocker/president-bush-throws-up-the-shocker.jpg) could be either identifying themselves as members of the Insane Vice Lords, or could be giving a crude hand gesture known as “the Shocker.” This man in these photographs could be affiliated with both [MS-13](http://media.cleveland.com/nationworld_impact/photo/barack-obama-horns-texas-080910jpg-1a909755b4fab646_large.jpg) and the [Latin Kings](http://www.spyghana.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/wpid-Obama-Displaying-Illuminati.jpg). [This woman](http://a.espncdn.com/i/mag/blog/hands(1)576x720.jpg) could possibly be identifying herself as a member of Texas Prison Gang Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos. ETA: Trying to be amusing, not snarky (although the signs are accurate). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/35 "2013-06-13T23:45:17Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > You appear to be under the impression that any hand signal is a gang sign. You appear to be mistaken. mmm ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/36 "2013-06-14T03:15:25Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > [This](http://www.thedailyrash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/2246139572_86f25b0f1a.jpg), [this](http://www.thedailyrash.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/suburb-gang-signs.jpg), and [this](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-laSf8_agJak/T0PaaiVKHPI/AAAAAAAAAKA/bv5wDCj2iSU/s1600/Julia+Allison+White+Chick+with+a+Gang+Sign.jpg) are good examples of what I’m talking about. > mmm Bunch of straight-up crazy gangsta bitches you got yourself there. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/37 "2013-06-14T03:20:48Z")
They do it to show they’re as cool as Mayor Rob Ford. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/38 "2013-06-14T08:30:23Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > The balm for what chafes you is just an “ignore” button away, duckie. Why on earth would I want to put such a person on ignore, chickadee? I like seeing homerun hitters in baseball because there is always a decent chance they’ll knock the cover off the ball. I also always make sure I pay attention to the git who has the most strikeouts in the league because watching some guy swing and whiff at it and miss more often than others is always an amusing thing to behold. I wouldn’t want to rob myself of that head shaking bewilderment by putting such a person on ignore. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/39 "2013-06-14T15:35:10Z")
I _knew_ you had a crush on me. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841/40 "2013-06-14T15:47:08Z")
Well, you do make her think of baseball. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flashing-gang-hand-signs-in-photos-can-anyone-begin-to-explain-this/660841.md?page=3)