# How Do You Show Three Fingers? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 8, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759 "2010-03-08T19:39:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/21 "2010-03-08T23:21:39Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Grew up doing the ring, middle, and index finger way. Many years ago, I took a year of American Sign Language and changed to thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Same here. When I was learning to count in ASL, I switched over. If I’m holding up my index, middle, and ring, I mean “6.” ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/22 "2010-03-09T15:47:33Z")
> [@nicole1912](#): > > Index, middle and ring fingers here. But I had to think about it. Middle, ring and little finger might also work. I definitely wouldn’t use my thumb. I’m a baseball umpire. We’re taught, when giving the count to the pitcher, to hold our clicker between the thumb and ring finger when showing three balls with the left hand, and to display the index, second and little fingers. It makes it easier for the pitcher to see than using the first three fingers. I’ve gotten in the habit of doing it all the time now. ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/23 "2010-03-09T15:53:28Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Depends on whether I’m counting or showing. If I’m just trying to indicate the number to someone, I use first, middle, ring. If I’m counting, it’s thumb, first, middle. Ditto. Non-US. ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/24 "2010-03-09T16:01:00Z")
Index, middle, ring for me. That is also how you do a Boy Scout salute in the US, but with the fingers together, not spread. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/25 "2010-03-09T16:10:17Z")
> [@Deflagration](#): > > I show “the shocker” Ha ha! I use thumb, index and middle. I speak with my hands, and usually when I’m enumerating points, I start counting with my thumb being 1, etc. When you guys use your hand to enumerate, do you start 1 with your index? ---
**Author:** ![\_Undecided\_Adrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/eada6e/32.png) [@\_Undecided\_Adrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Undecided_Adrian)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/26 "2010-03-09T17:16:08Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > I was wondering how long it was going to take. Less than ten posts. ☹ Yes, but it’s not really a spoiler. In fact, I think I liked the scene better since I immediately saw that this was going to be a problem (I’m German). ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/27 "2010-03-09T17:35:44Z")
> [@'\[Undecided](#): > > Adrian;12204719’]Yes, but it’s not really a spoiler. In fact, I think I liked the scene better since I immediately saw that this was going to be a problem (I’m German). So the premise of the scene is true, that Germans stereotypically do it the thumb-index-middle way? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/28 "2010-03-09T17:42:53Z")
Usually index, middle, ring. I believe most high school wrestling referees use index, middle, pinky to give 3 points (which I think you only get for a near fall of more than 5 seconds). ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/29 "2010-03-09T17:50:54Z")
one middle finger, thrusted toward the target of my ire three times. ---
**Author:** ![\_Undecided\_Adrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/eada6e/32.png) [@\_Undecided\_Adrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Undecided_Adrian)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/30 "2010-03-09T17:55:26Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > So the premise of the scene is true, that Germans stereotypically do it the thumb-index-middle way? Yes, definitely. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/31 "2010-03-09T17:59:11Z")
I can’t touch my thumb to pinkie anymore, but that’s how I used to do it. Now I do thumbkin, pointer, tall man. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/32 "2010-03-09T19:20:08Z")
The thumb, index finger, and middle finger are 7, as anyone who [watched public television in the late 70’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chisanbop) would know! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/33 "2010-03-09T20:08:23Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Pinkie, ring, middle. It’s easier. Ditto. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/34 "2010-03-09T20:52:56Z")
This poll doesn’t have an option for none. I can’t remember the last time I ever signaled for 3 of something with my hand. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/35 "2010-03-09T21:56:47Z")
> [@Deflagration](#): > > I show “the shocker” +1 It used to be done as a joke but I’ve caught myself doing it to people in the office a couple of times so apparently it became a habit along the way. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/36 "2010-03-09T22:45:30Z")
Index, middle, ring, spread apart. Years ago, you could order a Wiedemann that way. If you get the thumb involved, then 2 is 50 in Roman numerals! ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/37 "2010-03-10T12:56:17Z")
I don’t use thumb, because then when I get to “four” I can’t hold down my pinkie by itself and it’s awkward to transition from thumb-out and ring finger down to thumb in and four fingers up. I’m kind of clumsy like that. ---
**Author:** ![Hennessy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hennessy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hennessy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/38 "2010-03-11T23:34:40Z")
My thumb usually holds my ring finger down but I usually use all variations without the thumb (except index, ring, pinky as I can’t hold it straight). Hell, sometimes I throw the west side up to describe three (it just looks cleaner). ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/39 "2010-03-12T00:26:27Z")
> [@Bootis](#): > > This poll doesn’t have an option for none. I can’t remember the last time I ever signaled for 3 of something with my hand. So, do you skip 4-ways and go straight to the orgy room, or what? ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2010, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759/40 "2010-03-12T03:37:18Z")
Anecdote: Once in Mexico, I ordered a bloody mary. When it was consumed, the bartender caught my eye from behind the bar and held up a bottle of vodka and the mary mix. I wanted to say, “Ok!” so I made the Ok sign by making a circle with my thumb and index finger and holding up the middle, ring, and pinkie fingers. He brought me three bloody marys :smack: The next day? Worst. Diarrhea. Ever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-show-three-fingers/531759.md?page=3)