# Origin of the tsk-tsk hand gesture

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-tsk-tsk-hand-gesture/72836>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 17, 2001, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-tsk-tsk-hand-gesture/72836 "2001-07-17T20:10:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2001, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-tsk-tsk-hand-gesture/72836/1 "2001-07-17T20:10:39Z")

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What is the origin of the “tsk-tsk” hand gesture? You know, the one where you point with one index finger at the person, then put the other index finger on top, pointing perpendciular to it, and repeatedly rubbing forward while saying “tsk-tsk” or making some sort ot clicking sound?

I know why it’s used, to gently admonish someone for doing something slightly naughty, but not how it came about…

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**Author:** ![Gaspode](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gaspode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gaspode)\
**Post date:** [July 17, 2001, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-tsk-tsk-hand-gesture/72836/2 "2001-07-17T22:00:05Z")

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Been asked before.

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=51897](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=51897)