# What is this hand signal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 5, 2022, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450 "2022-07-05T12:19:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [July 5, 2022, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/1 "2022-07-05T12:19:15Z")
I’ve seen it used as a sign of encouragement: pinkie finger and forefinger up, thumb holding down the index finger and ring finger. It’s not the Shaka sign, with thumb and pinkie finger up. ---
**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:** [July 5, 2022, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/2 "2022-07-05T12:25:39Z")
What’s a forefinger? The best I can come up with is that it’s the same as the index finger. I assume you’re not talking about the rock n roll sign, right? [![](https://i.pinimg.com/474x/22/37/97/22379713b743a1f8580bf82c444522cb.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/474x/22/37/97/22379713b743a1f8580bf82c444522cb.jpg) ---
**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:** [July 5, 2022, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/3 "2022-07-05T12:27:25Z")
On the off chance, you’re thinking of this: [![](https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.217080171.7967/st,small,845x845-pad,1000x1000,f8f8f8.u3.jpg) ](https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.217080171.7967/st,small,845x845-pad,1000x1000,f8f8f8.u3.jpg) It’s The Shocker. I’ll let you do the research on that one. ---
**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:** [July 5, 2022, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/4 "2022-07-05T13:05:15Z")
> **[Sign of the horns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_horns)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > > Also known as Mudra of Digestion, it relieves constipation, diabetes, piles, dental problems, and kidney problems. This Mudra is suitable for heart disease and the stomach. Toxins are not good for your body. Every time you eat food, your body doesn’t digest the entire food you eat, and this makes toxins to form in your body. Because of this, it is always a good thing to detox your body, and Apan mudra is suitable for detoxifying your body. > How... ---
**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:** [July 5, 2022, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/5 "2022-07-05T13:24:05Z")
Shock and _yeow!_ mmm ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/6 "2022-07-05T13:56:49Z")
“Hook ‘em Horns!” if you’re around U of Texas fans. ---
**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:** [July 5, 2022, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/7 "2022-07-05T14:04:50Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I’ve seen it used as a sign of encouragement: pinkie finger and forefinger up, thumb holding down the index finger and ring finger. Yeah, “forefinger” to me is the same as “index finger.” I assume you meant “middle finger” where you wrote “index finger.” (Or Canadian English has a different way of naming fingers.) Anyhow, I always think of it as “rock on!” ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/8 "2022-07-05T16:32:27Z")
“Live long and Rock On!” ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/9 "2022-07-05T17:27:11Z")
Not to be confused with the Hawaiian [Shaka sign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaka_sign) or the [ILY sign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ILY_sign). ---
**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:** [July 5, 2022, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/10 "2022-07-05T17:29:09Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Not to be confused with the Hawaiian [Shaka sign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaka_sign) From the OP… > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > It’s not the Shaka sign, with thumb and pinkie finger up. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/11 "2022-07-05T18:01:30Z")
A similar gesture signifies “I love you” in American Sign Language. It is the the signs for I, L and Y combined. Maybe people who put the thumb inwards are doing it wrong. [![](https://www.lingvano.com/asl/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/asl_content/content-pages/blog/ILY__combination-1024x359.jpg) ](https://www.lingvano.com/asl/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/asl_content/content-pages/blog/ILY__combination-1024x359.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/12 "2022-07-05T20:53:54Z")
Its not just the shape of the fingers but also: - was the arm held up or extended? - palm in or out - still or motion. Considering how easy it is to inflect the meanings are of someone doing a simple V [go for victory; go fuck yourself; two beers; peace out] we need the nuance please. When I have that sign made towards me when I am condemned to be taken by the Devil. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/13 "2022-07-05T21:19:09Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I’ve seen it used as a sign of encouragement: Those too inept to gain entry into a Star Trek convention need all the encouragement they can get. ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2022, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/14 "2022-07-05T23:55:59Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I’ve seen it used as a sign of encouragement: pinkie finger and forefinger up, thumb holding down the index finger and ring finger. It sounds like most of us think forefinger and index finger are synonymous, and don’t quite understand what you are describing. Could you post an image of your hand making the gesture? Also, what population demographic is using this gesture? Teens, gang members, sports fans, stock brokers? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2022, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/15 "2022-07-06T02:16:21Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > “Hook ‘em Horns!” if you’re around U of Texas fans Or “Too Sweet” in wrestling circles. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2022, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/16 "2022-07-06T02:30:18Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > It’s The Shocker. I have two comments: It’s weird to see a five fingered cartoon hand, they really do draw them with four fingers most of the time. And, I have a photo of myself displaying the shocker with minor internet celebrity Tron Guy who appeared very unexpectedly as a manufacturer’s, um, exhibit, I guess, at an amateur radio festival. Upon googling, [this photo appears to have been in 2007](http://www.ka7exm.net/Dayton2007/hamvention_photos.htm), I think my meet was around 2010: See the last photo at the bottom of the page. He’s a fun guy and is definitely in on the joke. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2022, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-hand-signal/967450/17 "2022-07-06T05:32:08Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > pinkie finger and forefinger up, thumb holding down the index finger and ring finger. > [@Retzbu\_Tox](#): > > It sounds like most of us think forefinger and index finger are synonymous, and don’t quite understand what you are describing. I think that the OP made a mistake. It should read: “pinkie finger and forefinger up, thumb holding down the middle finger and ring finger” He wrote ‘index’ instead of ‘middle’. Just a minor brain fart that I didn’t even notice. I got what he is describing, and didn’t spot the error. And if you still can’t picture it, it looks like this: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Mano_cornuta.jpg/170px-Mano_cornuta.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Mano_cornuta.jpg/170px-Mano_cornuta.jpg)