0
Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage
GESTURE: 'tap on the nose' = meaning?
What kind of gesture would be natural for an Englishman/Englishwoman to suggest the following meanings: 'I will keep the secret', 'I understand you' ?
Is it by any chance a tap on the side of the nose?
Thanx
#:-)
gps
Is it by any chance a tap on the side of the nose?
Thanx
#:-)
gps
Top answer
[nq:1]What kind of gesture would be natural for an Englishman/Englishwoman to suggest the following meanings: 'I will keep the secret', 'I understand you' ? [/nq] I would say that the tap on the side of the nose, or more commonly a double tap, indicates I am telling you a secret which you must not repeat. I can't at the moment think of a gesture for "I will keep this secret" - we say "Mum's the word".
- [nq:1]What kind of gesture would be natural for an Englishman/Englishwoman to suggest the following meanings: 'I will keep the secret', 'I understand you' ?
- [/nq] I would say that the tap on the side of the nose, or more commonly a double tap, indicates I am telling you a secret which you must not repeat.
- I can't at the moment think of a gesture for "I will keep this secret" - we say "Mum's the word".
- David ==
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
13 Answers
0
[nq:1]What kind of gesture would be natural for an Englishman/Englishwoman to suggest the following meanings: 'I will keep the secret', 'I understand you' ? Is it by any chance a tap on the side of the nose?[/nq]
I would say that the tap on the side of the nose, or more commonly a double tap, indicates I am telling you a secret which you must not repeat.
I can't at the moment think of a ge
I would say that the tap on the side of the nose, or more commonly a double tap, indicates I am telling you a secret which you must not repeat.
I can't at the moment think of a ge
00
[nq:1]What kind of gesture would be natural for an Englishman/Englishwoman to suggest the following meanings: 'I will keep the secret', 'I understand you' ? Is it by any chance a tap on the side of the nose?[/nq]
I've never seen anyone do this in real life. The last time I saw it at all was Monty Python 'nudge nudge wink wink say no more'
John Dean
Oxford
I've never seen anyone do this in real life. The last time I saw it at all was Monty Python 'nudge nudge wink wink say no more'
John Dean
Oxford
00
[nq:2]What kind of gesture would be natural for an Englishman/Englishwoman ... any chance a tap on the side of the nose?[/nq]
[nq:1]I would say that the tap on the side of the nose, or more commonly a double tap, indicates I am telling you a secret which you must not repeat.[/nq]
I have seen the double tap on the side of the nose used with a different meaning. It was used in response to a
[nq:1]I would say that the tap on the side of the nose, or more commonly a double tap, indicates I am telling you a secret which you must not repeat.[/nq]
I have seen the double tap on the side of the nose used with a different meaning. It was used in response to a
00
[nq:2]I would say that the tap on the side of ... am telling you a secret which you must not repeat.[/nq]
[nq:1]I have seen the double tap on the side of the nose used with a different meaning. It was used in response to a question that the person asked considered to be intrusive. The gesture meant "don't be nosey".[/nq]
Was that a regional thing? (I've not come across it only the version
[nq:1]I have seen the double tap on the side of the nose used with a different meaning. It was used in response to a question that the person asked considered to be intrusive. The gesture meant "don't be nosey".[/nq]
Was that a regional thing? (I've not come across it only the version
00
[nq:1]On 04 Feb 2004, Peter Duncanson wrote[/nq]
[nq:2]I have seen the double tap on the side of ... considered to be intrusive. The gesture meant "don't be nosey".[/nq]
[nq:1]Was that a regional thing? (I've not come across it only the version that David mentioned, of "this is said in confidence".)[/nq]
Microregional: I do it.
Adrian
[nq:2]I have seen the double tap on the side of ... considered to be intrusive. The gesture meant "don't be nosey".[/nq]
[nq:1]Was that a regional thing? (I've not come across it only the version that David mentioned, of "this is said in confidence".)[/nq]
Microregional: I do it.
Adrian
00
[nq:2]What kind of gesture would be natural for an Englishman/Englishwoman ... any chance a tap on the side of the nose?[/nq]
[nq:1]I've never seen anyone do this in real life. The last time I saw it at all was Monty Python 'nudge nudge wink wink say no more'[/nq]
I've seen it done in France more often than in England. In addition to the "I'm telling you a secret" meaning, it seemed to ind
[nq:1]I've never seen anyone do this in real life. The last time I saw it at all was Monty Python 'nudge nudge wink wink say no more'[/nq]
I've seen it done in France more often than in England. In addition to the "I'm telling you a secret" meaning, it seemed to ind
00
[nq:1]I can't at the moment think of a gesture for "I will keep this secret" - we say "Mum's the word".[/nq]
1. Shape the mouth as if to make the sound 'shh',
2. Place a slightly curved index finger almost vertically in front of themouth,
3. Look furtively left and right,
4. Look at the other person,
5. Raise eyebrows,
6. Nod up and down slightly.
1. Shape the mouth as if to make the sound 'shh',
2. Place a slightly curved index finger almost vertically in front of themouth,
3. Look furtively left and right,
4. Look at the other person,
5. Raise eyebrows,
6. Nod up and down slightly.
00
[nq:2]On 04 Feb 2004, Peter Duncanson wrote Was that a ... version that David mentioned, of "this is said in confidence".)[/nq]
[nq:1]Microregional: I do it.[/nq]
I would describe it as personal rather than regional.
Peter Duncanson
UK
(posting from a.e.u)
[nq:1]Microregional: I do it.[/nq]
I would describe it as personal rather than regional.
Peter Duncanson
UK
(posting from a.e.u)
00
[nq:1]On 04 Feb 2004, Peter Duncanson wrote[/nq]
[nq:2]I have seen the double tap on the side of ... considered to be intrusive. The gesture meant "don't be nosey".[/nq]
[nq:1]Was that a regional thing? (I've not come across it only the version that David mentioned, of "this is said in confidence".)[/nq]
You should have included a 'tap your nose' smiley in your letter to Guardian Onlin
[nq:2]I have seen the double tap on the side of ... considered to be intrusive. The gesture meant "don't be nosey".[/nq]
[nq:1]Was that a regional thing? (I've not come across it only the version that David mentioned, of "this is said in confidence".)[/nq]
You should have included a 'tap your nose' smiley in your letter to Guardian Onlin
00
[nq:2]On 04 Feb 2004, Peter Duncanson wrote[/nq]
snip
[nq:2]Was that a regional thing? (I've not come across it only the version that David mentioned, of "this is said in confidence".)[/nq]
[nq:1]You should have included a 'tap your nose' smiley in your letter to Guardian Online.[/nq]
They must have edited that out of it.
Cheers, Harvey
Ottawa/Toronto/Edmont
[nq:2]Was that a regional thing? (I've not come across it only the version that David mentioned, of "this is said in confidence".)[/nq]
[nq:1]You should have included a 'tap your nose' smiley in your letter to Guardian Online.[/nq]
They must have edited that out of it.
Cheers, Harvey
Ottawa/Toronto/Edmont
0
Related Questions