Perform and study the following gesture

1. Bang bang ("pow-pow")

Performing:

· raise the fist and extend the index finger and thumb

· the index finger points at the recipient

· bring the thumb down on top of the fingers

Meaning:

ü imitation of a handgun in children's games

ü menace "I'm gonna kill you"

ü a playful greeting

ü Texas Tech fans use the "bang bang" salute (fingers pointed upward) to cheer their team

ü a two-handed version of the same gesture can be used to indicate sporting/business success

2. Shaka

Performing:

· extend the thumb and pinky finger but bend the three middle fingers

· the sign is often followed by waving

Meaning:

ü a common greeting in beach and surfer culture

ü it can be used when driving as a signal of thanks to other drivers

ü it can mean “I’ll call you”

____

Blah-blah

Performing:

· keep the fingers straight and together in a horizontal fashion

· hold the thumb straight down

· snap the fingers and thumb together repeatedly to suggest a mouth talking

Meaning:

ü a person talking for an excessive period of time about nothing

____

4. Clinton thumb

Performing:

· clench a fist

· lean the thumb against the thumb side portion of the index finger

Meaning:

ü is used by politicians to provide emphasis in speeches without pointing the finger

ü it doesn’t show the anger of the clenched fist or pointing finger

____

Crossed fingers

Performing:

· cross the index and middle fingers

· the middle finger overlaps the index finger

Meaning:

ü hope that something should succeed

ü if placed behind one's back, the gesture indicates that a lie is being told

6. Cuckoo sign

Performing:

· clench your fist

· extend the index finger and circle it around your ear for several seconds

Meaning:

ü someone is speaking nonsense or is crazy

____

Finger snap

Performing:

· hold one hand out, palm up

· snap the thumb and middle finger

Meaning:

ü remembering or failing to remember

ü the person has forgotten something and is trying to recall it (the fingers are snapped close to the temple)

ü to catch the attention of others

____

8. V sign

Performing:

· lift the middle and index finger

· clench the remaining fingers

· the palm of the hand should face the recipient

Meaning:

ü the "peace sign"

ü the sign for the letter V in American Sign Language

____

9. "Shame on you"

Performing:

· point at a person with the index finger of one hand

· rub the pointed finger with the index finger of the opposite hand (the rubbing motion is directed toward the person and is repeated at least three times)

Meaning:

ü the targeted person should feel shame

Time-out

Performing:

· hold one hand with flat palm down

· place the other hand with flat palm perpendicular to the first one, roughly in the center

Meaning:

ü a brief pause in play

ü in basketball, the gesture is used to indicate that a player or coach is guilty

____

11. Awkward Turtle

Performing:

· place hands on top of each other

· move the thumbs out and away from the hands

· rotate the thumbs

Meaning:

ü something awkward just happened

ü there is an awkward silence

ü to hush children

ü to calm participants in a heated argument

____

12. Loser

Performing:

· raise the index finger and thumb of your right hand to form the letter "L"

· place onto the forehead

Meaning:

ü the person to whom this gesture is directed is a loser

ü when the opposite hand is used, the gesture becomes highly ironic

____

Whoop-Dee-Doo

Performing:

· point the index finger up and rotate it (like waving a tiny, sarcastic flag)

Meaning:

ü something is uninteresting

OK sign

Performing:

· connect the thumb and forefinger in to a circle and holding the other fingers straight or relaxed in the air

Meaning:

ü (Spain or Portugal) “You are a zero” or “You are nothing”

ü (in underwater diving) “Are you okay”

ü (Japan) it also means money

ü (France) it means zero

ü (Chinese number gestures) number three.

ü (in the Arab world) a threatening gesture, as in saying: "You'll see!"