Page:The-sign-language-a-manual-of-signs-2nd-ed.djvu/39

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A MANUAL OF SIGNS
31

If reference is had to the weather or atmosphere, draw the forefinger (crooked) across the forehead. V. 90.

Hot.—Bring the hand up to the mouth with fingers crooked as if ready to take something from it; suddenly draw it away and turn it over as if dropping something from it in haste. Excessive summer heat is indicated by same sign as for warm (drawing forefinger across forehead) made with a good deal of emphasis.

Cold.—Draw elbows up at side with fists against the body and shake the arms and fists. V. 91.

Humble.—Bring the "B" hand up to the mouth, placing it perpendicularly edgewise against the lips; draw the hand down along the center of the breast and outward toward the side, bending the head in humility.

Don't care.—Place tips of "and" hand on forehead, bring away to one side and throw down with a jerk, opening the hands. V, 92. Or,

(2) Place the end of the forefinger on the end of the nose; bring it away partly to one side and throw down toward the ground.

Note: This is a rather objectionable slang sign but much used to designate lack of interest in, announcement that one will have nothing to do with, and to say that one does not want anything to do with.

Ambitious (anxious to put oneself forward).—Place the back of the thumb of "A" hand against breast, and with a more or less strong motion bring the hand up and outward, giving the body a sympathetic motion to indicate pushing oneself forward.

Note: The same sign with a wilful expression of countenance and movement of the head is sometimes made to indicate wilfulness. The hand is held more firmly against the breast indicating "self."

Engagement (in sense of a promise binding one, contract).—Bring the left "S" hand out with back of hand up; bring the right "A" hand out toward it, and, describing a small circle with the right hand, bring the right wrist down on the top of the left wrist and rest as if the hands had become tied together. When it is wished to indicate a betrothal, with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand grasp imaginary ring on left ring finger, then make sign for an engagement. Sometimes the sign for "promise" precedes the sign for engagement.