View sign 'abuse'

abuse

Image

Description

(meaning: throwing lies or mistakes against one)

Bright right hand in front of mouth, back out, first and second fingers extended and pointing upwards and to left, others closed; move the hand sharply outwards or towards person indicated; repeat.


References: bad, talk
Synonyms: defame, detract, ill treat, scold, upbraid

Notes

This is Tomkins position 2 hand.

Clarks description:

When speaking of abusing, scolding, defaming some other person, bring the right hand back outwards some eight inches in front of body, first and second fingers extended and separated, others and thumb closed, index finger and forearm horizontal, nearly parallel to body; move the hand rather sharply outwards, or towards the person indicated, mostly by wrist action, several inches, return hand and repeat motion several times.

To indicate that others scold or defame, or detract from your merits, bring the right hand, back to right, some eight inches in front of right breast, first and second fingers extended and separated, others and thumb closed, index and forearm horizontal, extended fingers pointing to left and front; move the hand rather sharply, mostly by wrist action, several inches towards left breast; return hand to first position and repeat motion two or three times.

The Flatheads and many other tribes make the sign for BAD after TALK, while other simply touch the mouth and make the sign for BAD. Some tribes use the gesture I have described in the sense of joking, fooling, etc.