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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary
Word for this gesture, please?
Dear Teachers,
I’m trying to find the verb and the noun to express the following hand gesture which means that the person couldn’t care less about something:
He lifts up one of his palms vertically to a height of the shoulders or chest approximately, as if saying “stop”, then immediately bends the hand down into a horizontal position.
It’s as if the person was waving, but there’s only a single such movement, it’s not repeated, and it means, among other things, “I don’t care”, or “don’t worry about it”, or “it’s not important”.
Could you, please, let me know what you call that? Thanks.
I’m trying to find the verb and the noun to express the following hand gesture which means that the person couldn’t care less about something:
He lifts up one of his palms vertically to a height of the shoulders or chest approximately, as if saying “stop”, then immediately bends the hand down into a horizontal position.
It’s as if the person was waving, but there’s only a single such movement, it’s not repeated, and it means, among other things, “I don’t care”, or “don’t worry about it”, or “it’s not important”.
Could you, please, let me know what you call that? Thanks.
Top answer
I don't think we have a name for the gesture, though I do recognize what you are describing. We might say, "Nah," with such a gesture or try to minimize a situation with it. I don't think all gestures have names.
- I don't think we have a name for the gesture, though I do recognize what you are describing.
- We might say, "Nah," with such a gesture or try to minimize a situation with it.
- I don't think all gestures have names.
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5 Answers
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I don't think we have a name for the gesture, though I do recognize what you are describing. We might say, "Nah," with such a gesture or try to minimize a situation with it. I don't think all gestures have names.
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Hi
I agree that English language vocabulary is not very rich in describing body language or hand gestures. I think we tend to invent a phrase when we need it. You have done that well in the description in your original post
To raise the hand palm outward can mean 'Peace, I agree with you, you don't need to say any more'. Or it can mean 'Stop, I don't want to hear anymore from
I agree that English language vocabulary is not very rich in describing body language or hand gestures. I think we tend to invent a phrase when we need it. You have done that well in the description in your original post
To raise the hand palm outward can mean 'Peace, I agree with you, you don't need to say any more'. Or it can mean 'Stop, I don't want to hear anymore from
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Anonymouslet me know what you call thatIt has no name. You have to paraphrase it.
She waved a hand as if to say, "Forget about it!"
She gestured as if to say, "It doesn't matter".
CJ
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Do you perhaps mean this?
If you pooh-pooh something, it means you express disdain or impatience about it. This is often accompanied by a dismissive gesture.
At least one site refers to this as 'a vocal gesture'.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=pooh
If you pooh-pooh something, it means you express disdain or impatience about it. This is often accompanied by a dismissive gesture.
At least one site refers to this as 'a vocal gesture'.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=pooh
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Clive, I didn't know "pooh-pooh", I like it! Thanks!!
Englishmaven, Dave Anon, CalifJim, thank you!!
Englishmaven, Dave Anon, CalifJim, thank you!!
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