The "two-finger swear" in the UK (the V-sign with the back of the hand facing out) is an insult like the middle finger, originating from a popular legend about English longbowmen taunting the French in the Hundred Years' War by showing they still had their fingers to shoot. While the legend is likely a myth, the gesture became a potent insult in Britain and the Commonwealth, similar to "f**k you," meaning "I've still got my fingers to shoot/fight" or just "up yours".
If you want to show the number two with your fingers in Britain, always face your palm towards the person — like a peace sign ✌️. This is the polite, neutral gesture most people use when ordering things (like “two coffees” or “two tickets”).
The V sign, when the palm is facing toward the person giving the sign, has long been an insulting gesture in the United Kingdom, and later in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. It is frequently used to signify defiance (especially to authority), contempt, or derision.
Two fingers up is a common gesture meaning victory or peace.
The quintessential British offensive gesture for most of the 20th century, formed by holding up a hand with the middle and index finger upright in a V shape, the thumb and other two fingers curled into the palm; the palm facing towards the gesturer.
Taken from American Sign Language, this simply means "I love you." Peace ... Sideways. It's sideways, but it means the same thing as the traditional peace sign. The sign itself is pretty meaningless; kids just call it "this." The game is to try to get people to look at "this," at which point you make fun of them.
The gesture was devised by Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy as a salute for the alien Vulcan species, and is popular within the science fiction fandom and nerd culture. The blessing phrase "live long and prosper" (written by Theodore Sturgeon) is frequently spoken alongside it.
Predominantly known today as the ✌️ Peace Sign, this gesture was originally called the Victory Hand or V Sign due to its association with the Allies' victory in World War II. Commonly used to express peace, positivity, or goodwill, and frequently appears in posed photographs.
The 🤌 (pinched fingers) emoji means “What do you want?” in Italian. Italians are known for speaking with their hands, and the pinched finger gesture is most associated with the phrase, Ma che vuoi? (“What do you want?”).
An index finger pointing to the right. Since 2020 this emoji has been known to be combined with the 🥺 Pleading Face and the 👈 Backhand Index Pointing Left to indicate a bashful or shy pose (🥺👉👈), also often called a "simp" pose.
The story goes that it was an English soldier's way of taunting the French during the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Supposedly, English longbowmen would put their two fingers up to show they hadn't been captured by the French and had those fingers removed, rendering them unable to shoot arrows.
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishput two fingers up at somebodyput two fingers up at somebodyBritish English informal to show someone you are angry with them in a very offensive way by holding up your first two fingers with the back of your hand facing them → finger.
The pointing of the index and middle finger upward signifies the two natures of Christ, that he is both human and divine. If the thumb is also upraised, this signifies the Holy Trinity. If just the index finger, that would signify there is one God.
Represents a casual, relaxed gesture, often used to say “call me” or “what's up?” Gen Z might also use it as a symbol for “bro” to convey a laid-back, friendly tone or to greet someone informally. Emoji Example: “Catch you later, bro 🤙” or “Let's catch up soon 🤙”
The main difference is the thumb: 🤘 (Sign of the Horns) has the thumb folded in, representing rock music, warding off evil, or "rock on," popularized by Ronnie James Dio; 🤟 (Love-You Gesture) has the thumb extended, forming the ASL sign for "I Love You" (ILY) and often used to express general affection or support, also seen as the University of Texas "Hook 'Em Horns" symbol.
The 🖕(middle finger) emoji is most commonly used to express hatred, frustration, or disapproval. In some instances, it can also be used sarcastically to playfully mock or tease a friend.
👉👈 — Shy, nervous (usually in the context of flirting) 🧿 — Represents warding off the “evil eye”
A 💦 emoji next to the 👅 (tongue) emoji: It can be thought of as sexual, but can also simply mean their mouth is watering. For example, “👅 💦 That wedding cake looks delicious.”
The not-so-subtle, but totally-flirty hug 🤗
Smileys can definitely be used in a strictly platonic fashion, but when you use them in sentences that can be taken as flirty, there's an added sense of excitement as your crush tries to decipher if you're trying to really flirt or not.
Live long and prosper, friends! If you ever need to spread the love to your geekier friends, then flash a 🖖. The Vulcan salute emoji, 🖖, is perfect for showing your Star Trek cred or sci-fi pride more generally.
The 🙃 Upside-Down Face emoji means irony, sarcasm, silliness, or playful confusion, often used to convey "oh well," a goofy mistake, or something terrible in a lighthearted way, signaling that the text shouldn't be taken too seriously. It's a versatile emoji that can show you're joking, being sarcastic, or just generally feeling silly or resigned to a situation.
The 🗣️ Speaking Head emoji (often used in pairs like 🗣️🗣️) means talking, voicing opinions, announcing, or speaking out, often emphatically, like "Let's talk!" or to represent shouting, lecturing, or sharing strong views publicly, sometimes with a connotation of "mansplaining" or forceful declaration. It's used to show someone is talking, commenting, or making a statement, but can also signify someone needs to speak up or is being very assertive, say Emojipedia.
More than just “hang loose”: The shaka hand gesture represents aloha spirit, love and local pride. Flash a closed hand with the thumb and pinkie sticking out, and every Hawaii resident knows what it means. Used by everyone from kids to elders, the “shaka” represents aloha spirit, love and local pride.
Navy custom permits left-hand saluting when a salute cannot be rendered with the right hand. Army and Air Force customs permit only right-hand salutes. Under naval customs, the hand salute is accompanied by a word of greeting.
Lots of intrinsic muscle control is required. Many normal humans simply do not have the “touch” to do this. Try it with your friends. Figure 1 Leonard Nimoy in character as Mr Spock on Star Trek, making his unique Vulcan salute.