# What are some of the less well known obscene gestures used... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 25, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203 "2008-08-25T15:46:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/21 "2008-08-26T01:12:44Z")
There’s the “fig” gesture where you make a fist with your thumb poking out between the first and index fingers. Wiki observes: > [@](#): > > The “fig sign” is a gesture made with the hand and fingers curled and the thumb thrust between the middle and index fingers, or, rarely, the middle and ring fingers, forming the fist so that the thumb partly pokes out. In some areas of the world, the gesture is considered a good luck charm, in others it is considered an obscene gesture, and in still others it is used in the “I’ve got your nose!” child’s game. This gesture is also the letter “T” in the American Sign Language alphabet. In International Sign, which otherwise uses the same manual alphabet, “T” has been modified to avoid possible offense. The general article may be of interest to the OP: > **[List of gestures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_gesture)** > > Gestures are a form of nonverbal communication in which visible bodily actions are used to communicate important messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body. Physical non-verbal communication such as purely expressive displays, proxemics, or displays of joint attention differ from gestures, which communicate specific messages. Gestures are culture-specific and may convey very diff This ... It also mentions the gesture where you raise your fist emphatically with a bent arm, and your other hand placed on your bicep behind the elbow - they call it the “bent elbow”. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/22 "2008-08-26T01:32:11Z")
[QUOTE=yabob] There’s the “fig” gesture where you make a fist with your thumb poking out between the first and index fingers. Wiki observes: The general article may be of interest to the OP: > **[List of gestures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_gesture)** > > Gestures are a form of nonverbal communication in which visible bodily actions are used to communicate important messages, either in place of speech or together and in parallel with spoken words. Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body. Physical non-verbal communication such as purely expressive displays, proxemics, or displays of joint attention differ from gestures, which communicate specific messages. Gestures are culture-specific and may convey very diff This ... It also mentions the gesture where you raise your fist emphatically with a bent arm, and your other hand placed on your bicep behind the elbow - they call it the “bent elbow”. [/QUOTE] Thanks **yabob,** but I had to bookmark the link. The way things are going in this thread, I may know all the gestures before the Body Talk book that \*\*CalMeacham \*\*recommended arrives. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/23 "2008-08-26T01:50:28Z")
[QUOTE=Chefguy] Not obscene, but certainly insulting: In Germany, if you do something stupid while driving, another driver is likely to tap his head with his forefinger, as in “you fucking moron”. [/QUOTE] Same here. Actually, I had assumed this “there’s something wrong in your head” sign was universal in western countries. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/24 "2008-08-26T01:52:28Z")
From my American perspective, I suppose tapping the forehead could be taken that way, but it could also be used to say something like “Clever thinking! This here’s a smart one…” ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/25 "2008-08-26T01:57:57Z")
Is [this](http://www.foot-news.com/images/vanbomel.jpg) (tapping with the left hand your inner right elbow and raising your right forearm in the same movement, generally with the palm open rather than with the fist closed as shown on the picture) generally understood as “go fuck yourself” in most countries? Weirdly enough, it’s called “arm of honour” in French. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/26 "2008-08-26T02:00:02Z")
There’s the Italian gesture of flicking the thumb forward from behind the top front teeth. I don’t know exactly what it means, but I know it’s the equivalent of “fighting words”. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/27 "2008-08-26T02:02:15Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] pulling down the lower eyelid,. [/QUOTE] This would mean “I don’t believe a word of what you said” / “That’s bullshit” in France. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/28 "2008-08-26T02:02:24Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] There’s the Italian gesture of flicking the thumb forward from behind the top front teeth. I don’t know exactly what it means, but I know it’s the equivalent of “fighting words”. [/QUOTE] Isn’t that the same or similar gesture Shakspeare uses? What it means exactly I do not know. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/29 "2008-08-26T02:03:07Z")
[QUOTE=yabob] There’s the “fig” gesture where you make a fist with your thumb poking out between the first and index fingers. Wiki observes: [/QUOTE] Is that like the “got your nose!” gesture? In Japan, that’s not used as an insult, but it is rude (supposedly it’s meant to indicate the female genitalia). We’ve had to warn my parents not to do it with our son, just in case he repeats it in front of the other kids and their mothers. Putting your finger under your eye and pulling downward has some different meanings. In France, it means “you’re lying” or “bull” (ETA: **clairobscur** beat me to it). In Japan, it used as a children’s taunt (kind of like “nyah!”) and is usually accompanied by sticking out your tongue. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/30 "2008-08-26T02:06:06Z")
[QUOTE=BarnOwl] Isn’t that the same or similar gesture Shakspeare uses? What it means exactly I do not know. [/QUOTE] No, that’s biting the thumb. This isn’t a bite but a flick. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/31 "2008-08-26T02:08:05Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] There’s the Italian gesture of flicking the thumb forward from behind the top front teeth. I don’t know exactly what it means, but I know it’s the equivalent of “fighting words”. [/QUOTE] In France, it means “absolutely nothing” , in a pissed off or despising way. For instance : “You know how much this fucker paid me for my work?” : make gesture Or “Upon my death, he will inherit that” : make gesture. Don’t know if it has the same meaning in Italy. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/32 "2008-08-26T02:12:45Z")
[QUOTE=Sublight] (ETA: **clairobscur** beat me to it). [/QUOTE] Hijack : By the way, I’ve been wondering for some time what “ETA” meant. Or rather, I understand what it refers to, but I can’t figure out what the acronym stands for. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/33 "2008-08-26T02:14:30Z")
[QUOTE=clairobscur] Hijack : By the way, I’ve been wondering for some time what “ETA” meant. Or rather, I understand what it refers to, but I can’t figure out what the acronym stands for. [/QUOTE] “Edited To Add” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/34 "2008-08-26T02:16:51Z")
[QUOTE=clairobscur] Is [this](http://www.foot-news.com/images/vanbomel.jpg) (tapping with the left hand your inner right elbow and raising your right forearm in the same movement, generally with the palm open rather than with the fist closed as shown on the picture) generally understood as “go fuck yourself” in most countries? Weirdly enough, it’s called “arm of honour” in French. [/QUOTE] I don’t see it that often, but around here it’s usually with the palm closed, often with the middle finger extended for good measure. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/35 "2008-08-26T02:26:46Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] I don’t see it that often, but around here it’s usually with the palm closed, often with the middle finger extended for good measure. [/QUOTE] Overkill 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/36 "2008-08-26T03:06:28Z")
Make the Vulcan salute in front of your mouth, then wiggle your tongue between your two middle fingers. I have no idea what it means, but it looks deliciously vulgar. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/37 "2008-08-26T11:04:39Z")
[QUOTE=WoodenTaco] I’ve heard that in some Middle Eastern cultures, it’s insulting to show someone the sole of your foot (like when sitting down or something). Wikipedia confirms this, but it could be incorrect. [/QUOTE] It is rude in the same way that would be rude in a business meeting to put your feet on the desk (as a lawyer once did during my first and last consultation with him). It’s rude but it’s generally not used as deliberate insult. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/38 "2008-08-26T11:08:33Z")
A gesture considered as obscene as “the finger” in Italy is the _cuckold_, or “your wife fucks around.” It is the same as the “[hook 'em horns](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_'em_Horns)” gesture from the University of Texas (link to Wikipedia has photos). Opportunities for misunderstood enthusiasm for one’s alma mater abroad abound. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![sjc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@sjc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sjc)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/39 "2008-08-26T16:34:07Z")
[QUOTE=BarnOwl] Isn’t that the same or similar gesture Shakspeare uses? What it means exactly I do not know. [/QUOTE] I have a theory about biting thumbs in Shakespeare. I wonder if perhaps they make “the fig” or some variant and then bite their thumbs so that they are biting genitalia (perhaps intended to represent that of the person being insulted; i.e. implying they are less than a man). This is just a theory, I have no corroborating evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203/40 "2008-08-26T16:56:16Z")
[QUOTE=clairobscur] Same here. Actually, I had assumed this “there’s something wrong in your head” sign was universal in western countries. [/QUOTE] It is, but I was informed by the Consulate when I was posted there that to Germans it’s much more offensive. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-of-the-less-well-known-obscene-gestures-used/461203.md?page=3)