# Straight Dope secret sign........ **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 9, 2008, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604 "2008-04-09T13:40:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/41 "2008-04-09T20:16:05Z")
[QUOTE=Yeticus Rex] _Doper in the back of 1st Bentley:_ “Pardon me sir…Would you happen to have any ‘Opal’s 1920’s Style Trench Pie’?” _Doper in the back of 2nd Bentley:_ “But of course!” [/QUOTE] Mmmmm…Trench Pie. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/42 "2008-04-09T20:23:01Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] This is easy. Every time you see someone you think might be a Doper, just masturbate like a motherfuck. Insiders will get it, trust me. [/QUOTE] If you’re always in your bunk, how will you ever meet other Dopers? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/43 "2008-04-09T20:27:18Z")
There are plenty of creative ideas here, but you’re overthinking it. If you see someone you suspect is a Doper, give 'em a thumbs-up, point at them with both index fingers, and holler “Gotcha ya!” ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/44 "2008-04-09T21:06:14Z")
😃 Love the thread. Keep 'em coming! ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/45 "2008-04-09T22:31:39Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] I’d go with the arms-crossed-over-chest salute the aliens used in _Plan 9 from Outer Space._ (No one else is using it and Dopers can reasonably be expected to know it.) [/QUOTE] You know you’re truly a Doper when you read something like this, and _immediately_ rehearse the gesture. BTW, hi **glee**! ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/46 "2008-04-09T23:34:51Z")
In a restaurant, have Cecil Adams paged. Watch for those who stand up and put their hands over their hearts. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/47 "2008-04-09T23:40:51Z")
How about tshirts with the word "NERD’ emblazoned across them? Cause that’s what we are. A bunch of damn nerds. \*_mumbles tryin’ to come up with a sign to identify dopers…nerdy ass crap…_ That being said, I like Sampiro’s idea. Also, I was never smart enough for nerdom, but I do accept this honorary nerd award for being a member of the straight dope. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/48 "2008-04-10T00:42:11Z")
[QUOTE=Sampiro] Put the back of your right hand against your right temple and then bend your index finger till it’s parallel to your eye; this indicates “sight” which is a homonym for “cite?” which stands for pool (but will ultimately get you pitted by somebody complaining it’s unfair to Dopers without right hands). [/QUOTE] Though I have no desire to minimize the opinions of handless Dopers… having just attempted this salute in the mirror, I think the most important objection is that it looks kind of gay. I feel that it could result in miscommunication and confused expectations, is all I’m saying. I would rather not wind up in another awkward situation like that time with the handkerchief. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/49 "2008-04-10T01:03:03Z")
Person one approaches person two with a picture of a cute pet (cat preferred). If person two responds with “squeee!”, we have confirmed dopetitude. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/50 "2008-04-10T01:14:02Z")
**Mangetout** , that’s beautiful. I really do want a t-shirt like that now. {Downloading like a motherfuck…} ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/51 "2008-04-10T13:26:23Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] A pin shaped like a 1920’s Style Death Ray might be better . . . [/QUOTE] One of [these,](http://davidszondy.com/future/war/deathray.htm) perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/52 "2008-04-10T23:34:08Z")
Here’s a suggestion for a sign and countersign: D1: “Excuse me, do you have 20 minutes?” D2: “Only once…” ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/53 "2008-04-10T23:48:26Z")
[QUOTE=Scuba\_Ben] Here’s a suggestion for a sign and countersign: D1: “Excuse me, do you have 20 minutes?” D2: “Only once…” [/QUOTE] Personally, I’d react quicker – and believe I was in touch with a real Doper – if his or her first words were: I burning your \_\_\_\_\_ to which any true Doper would have to say \_\_\_\_ and a non-Doper would respond with: a) Do you mean to say you ARE burning b) cigarette c) sweater d) candles e) a wild stare and the onset of the flight or fight response ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/54 "2008-04-11T07:20:11Z")
In a bar/cafe/restaurant or whatever: Sign…“Well I’m off to the pit” Countersign… **Der Trihs?"** ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/55 "2008-04-11T09:41:08Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] Heh, we’re in the Knowledge Mafia. [/QUOTE] 🆒 What are you talking about? There is no Mafia! > [@Cub Mistress](#): > > In a restaurant, have Cecil Adams paged. Watch for those who stand up and put their hands over their hearts. While I may not have him paged, the next time I have to have a wait for a table, I will give them my name as Cecil Adams. I recommend other Dopers do this as well. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/56 "2008-04-11T14:26:44Z")
[QUOTE=Terrifel] Though I have no desire to minimize the opinions of handless Dopers… having just attempted this salute in the mirror, I think the most important objection is that it looks kind of gay. I feel that it could result in miscommunication and confused expectations, is all I’m saying. I would rather not wind up in another awkward situation like that time with the handkerchief. [/QUOTE] Sampiro was just trying to get us to vogue without knowing it. It’s part of the gay agenda … item 14 if I recall correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/57 "2008-04-11T14:30:44Z")
[QUOTE=Evil Captor] Sampiro was just trying to get us to vogue without knowing it. It’s part of the gay agenda … item 14 if I recall correctly. [/QUOTE] Well don’t just stand there, let’s get to it. ---
**Author:** ![freekalette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@freekalette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freekalette)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/58 "2008-04-11T14:58:59Z")
Ah, you guys are going about this all wrong. If you see an individual you think might be a Doper… Nuke it from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/59 "2008-04-11T15:19:21Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] There are plenty of creative ideas here, but you’re overthinking it. If you see someone you suspect is a Doper, give 'em a thumbs-up, point at them with both index fingers, and holler “Gotcha ya!” [/QUOTE] Aw, you took mine. That, or running up to them and burning they dog. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604/60 "2008-04-11T21:58:09Z")
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir] If you’re always in your bunk, how will you ever meet other Dopers? [/QUOTE] You don’t have to do it, just yell it through the door on a regular basis. It’ll be like a bat signal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-secret-sign/444604.md?page=4)