OK, folklore trivia buffs -- this is a serious inquiry related to some
research I am really doing (how, I will leave till later) ...
What is the Name, Origin, and primary and related Meanings of the insulting
(or humorous) gesture in which one person surreptitiously holds a hand
behind the head of another person (generally in view of an audience or
camera) showing the thumb and little finger (or perhaps first and fourth
fingers) with the other fingers pulled into the palm so as to leave only
the two extended fingers visible.
And, no, this is not a test of the limits of language in describing hand
gestures!
All commonsense, traditional, and scholarly information appreciated!
JAY.
---------------------------
JAY L. LEMKE
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
JLLBC who-is-at CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
---------------------------