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aircooled
aircooled MegaDork
5/2/23 1:07 p.m.

(I will obviously remove this if it turns out to be offensive, but I am pretty sure it isn't)

We have had some weird questions here and here is another one:

I have seen this hand sign being used a couple times while taking pictures at large warehouses.  One in CA, on in the South.   What does this generally mean?  Is it a new version of the Peace Sign?

I of course thought it might be some sort of gang sign, but seeing it in two places across the country, and being used in a seemingly positive manner, seems to indicate other wise.

The reason I ask is I wonder if I can use a picture like this to express positivity?

SV reX
SV reX MegaDork
5/2/23 1:30 p.m.

It's a combination peace and goodbye sign.  More "hip" and "gangsta" to hold it sideways than upright.

Nicole Suddard
Nicole Suddard Marketing Coordinator
5/2/23 1:46 p.m.

Just a variation on a peace sign / something to do with your hands when posing for a photo to look less awkward.

Toyman!
Toyman! MegaDork
5/2/23 1:50 p.m.

I always thought it was, "peace out."

As in, see you, I'm out, later, goodbye. 

But I'm in my mid-50s so that's probably not it at all. 

 

RX Reven'
RX Reven' UberDork
5/2/23 1:52 p.m.

Come on hive, isn't it obvious, it means "I'm thirsty, somebody bring me a dowsing rod" - geesh

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
5/2/23 2:00 p.m.

I always assumed it was just a random pose.  I'm sure it started as peace and has just become adapted to be more of a random greeting.  It's seen very frequently in hip hop and R&B circles, and likely has the same connotation as many musical artists use to spread a message of peace - particularly within the crux of racism.

I'm sure it would be perceived by many as a symbol of positivity, but there may be a percentage of POC who view it as appropriation or a reminder of the racism they are hoping to get rid of by using that gesture.

Long story short, I personally wouldn't, but I'm also (as you noticed last week) hypersensitive to identifying micro-aggressions in my own patterns, so maybe I'm not an objective data set.

johndej
johndej SuperDork
5/2/23 2:08 p.m.

 

Lof8 - Andy
Lof8 - Andy UltraDork
5/2/23 2:41 p.m.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

peace sign is appropriation?  I disagree.

aircooled
aircooled MegaDork
5/2/23 2:53 p.m.

--- Be aware - the post two above is clearly a bot, don't click link (please downvote) --

OK, thanks, I think that clears it up.   The guy in the picture was definitely very happy to have his picture taken.

Still might be a bit "hip" for corporate use, but at least I know what it is.

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
5/2/23 3:05 p.m.
Lof8 - Andy said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

peace sign is appropriation?  I disagree.

Not at all, but the style with which it's being used, and the fact that the hand is clearly not white might ruffle a few of the more emphatic feathers.

jgrewe
jgrewe Dork
5/2/23 3:28 p.m.

Scissors.

Rock beats it, it beats paper.

bobzilla
bobzilla MegaDork
5/2/23 3:31 p.m.

dUH... Chopped.

1988RedT2
1988RedT2 MegaDork
5/2/23 3:54 p.m.

In a filming context, it means "cut," or stop taking pictures.

Maybe?

aircooled
aircooled MegaDork
5/2/23 4:00 p.m.

No, he was very happy to have his picture taken (I didn't want to show his face, but he is very much smiling), he even found me later to see where he could see the pics!

yupididit
yupididit UltimaDork
5/2/23 4:08 p.m.

In reply to SV reX :

Just a standard peace sign. Not hip and certainly not "gangsta" (bffr dude). It's just awkward to hold up the peace sign in pics because you could be blocking another person face who is in the pic with you. 

yupididit
yupididit UltimaDork
5/2/23 4:09 p.m.
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:
Lof8 - Andy said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

peace sign is appropriation?  I disagree.

Not at all, but the style with which it's being used, and the fact that the hand is clearly not white might ruffle a few of the more emphatic feathers.

Certainly. Not. Appropriation. 

Mr_Asa
Mr_Asa UltimaDork
5/2/23 4:13 p.m.
Lof8 - Andy said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

peace sign is appropriation?  I disagree.

This isn't a peace sign.  Peace sign is your palm out, fingers up.  

Just because it is two fingers being held up in a V doesn't mean its a peace sign, show the wrong British person two fingers held up with the back of your hand showing and you might not get a chance to explain that you meant it to mean "peace"

 

This is "deuces."  Like many informal hand signs, it can mean anything from " 'sup" to "see ya" to "i don't want to stand with my hands at my sides in a picture."  I will agree with Curtis that it may be seen as appropriation by the wrong person and could cause some heated words, but that person is probably a twat.   There is likely an age component with it as well.

 

Just for fun, take this sign, turn the palm face out and you are now signaling that "this is supposed to be cute" to thousands of Asian teens and younger adults.

 

Culture is weird. 

porschenut
porschenut HalfDork
5/2/23 4:19 p.m.

It means you think you are a lot cooler than you really are.

ShawnG
ShawnG MegaDork
5/2/23 4:56 p.m.

Ever ride a motorcycle?

SV reX
SV reX MegaDork
5/2/23 4:59 p.m.

In reply to yupididit :

"Standard" peace sign... with attitude.  wink

Duke
Duke MegaDork
5/2/23 5:15 p.m.

Near as I've ever been able to figure, that's the DL "peace out" as mentioned above.  From my scientific research, if the fingers are pointed down / to the side, it negates both other connotations:

  • The stereotypical hippie-dippie "peace sign" is the same gesture, fingers pointed up, palm toward viewer.  Think of Laugh-In or Richard Nixon.
     
  • To be "berk you" in England, it has to be fingers pointed up, back of the hand toward the viewer.  Think of the Sex Pistols [edit] or sometimes Winston Churchill.

With fingers to the side, it doesn't matter if it is forehand or backhand.

 

stuart in mn
stuart in mn MegaDork
5/2/23 5:35 p.m.

In reply to Duke :

Or Churchill, on occasion.

vwcorvette (Forum Supporter)
vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) UberDork
5/2/23 6:02 p.m.
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
5/2/23 8:07 p.m.
Mr_Asa said:
Lof8 - Andy said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

peace sign is appropriation?  I disagree.

This isn't a peace sign.  Peace sign is your palm out, fingers up.  

Just because it is two fingers being held up in a V doesn't mean its a peace sign, show the wrong British person two fingers held up with the back of your hand showing and you might not get a chance to explain that you meant it to mean "peace"

 

This is "deuces."  Like many informal hand signs, it can mean anything from " 'sup" to "see ya" to "i don't want to stand with my hands at my sides in a picture."  I will agree with Curtis that it may be seen as appropriation by the wrong person and could cause some heated words, but that person is probably a twat.   There is likely an age component with it as well.

 

Just for fun, take this sign, turn the palm face out and you are now signaling that "this is supposed to be cute" to thousands of Asian teens and younger adults.

 

Culture is weird. 

Exactly what I was trying to say.  There will always be a twat factor by someone on the edge of the spectrum.

And never make the "OK" sign with your hand in Brazil and some other South American countries because it means shiny happy person.  In some countries the peace sign backwards (showing the back of your hand instead of the palm) is like giving the middle finger.

the index and pinky finger extended like you are at a rock concert in the US means that you wanna rock, but in many Mediterranean and South American countries, the word for "cuckold" is the same as the word for "horned."  Giving that sign to someone is basically saying "you're such a wuss that your wife is cheating on you."

Crossing your fingers for luck is great in some Western cultures, but in many Asian cultures it's a sign of female genitals.  Depending on the context, it can mean F-you or pu$$y.  Also, it's a good way to get 5 hookers to bum-rush you in Vietnam looking for employment.

A thumbs-up in the west means approval or "great job," but in much of the middle east and northern Africa, it is more like "sit and spin" or "up yours."

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter)
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
5/2/23 8:10 p.m.
yupididit said:
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:
Lof8 - Andy said:

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

peace sign is appropriation?  I disagree.

Not at all, but the style with which it's being used, and the fact that the hand is clearly not white might ruffle a few of the more emphatic feathers.

Certainly. Not. Appropriation. 

I tend to agree, but there are some who would say it is.

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