Manicule

[saparris]

Manicule: (noun). from Latin manicula (little hand).

The symbol resembling a hand with a pointing finger, used in typography to draw attention to something in the text.

Here's one:



From http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/manicule

[LukeJavan8]

And used at sporting events to say "we are #1", I believe.

[Slava]

And used at sporting events to say "we are #1", I believe.

While we do hold up a hand with only the index finger extended, is this a manicule? It has the same form, but doesn't really serve the same purpose, does it? I wonder if there's another name for the hand gesture?

[saparris]

I don't think there is a particular name for the raised index finger, unless you call it an "one gesture." Or maybe it's an up-pointing manicule.

Change fingers, and there are all kinds of names.

[Slava]

I don't think there is a particular name for the raised index finger, unless you call it an "one gesture." Or maybe it's an up-pointing manicule.

Nice idea, but I'm not so sure it works here. The manicule is pointing at something, whereas the "We're #1" finger holds all the meaning. It's not indicating anything, as in pointing at it.

[beck123]

I think the entire point of "manicule" is it's diminutive sense: a small hand. The pointing hands at sporting events clearly don't fit the description. In fact, they beg for a name that means BIG hand in some dead language.

[beck123]

I also wonder if it is proper to speak of a "raised" index finger when the manicule is almost exclusively shown with the pointer finger aimed sideways. I would say the finger is "extended."

[beck123]

(Sorry to flood.) Have you noticed that professional, human pointers always point with two fingers (index and middle together) nowadays? Flight attendants, when presenting their moronic safety briefings, are a good example. I think somebody has taken their mother's admonition ("it's not polite to point!") to a ridiculous extreme.

This doubled-digit practice may also deserve a new term.

[saparris]

I also wonder if it is proper to speak of a "raised" index finger when the manicule is almost exclusively shown with the pointer finger aimed sideways. I would say the finger is "extended."

Some medieval manuscripts show manicules pointing up. However, I agree that the majority of contemporary manicules point to the side--perhaps because the majority of people walk sideways.

Have you noticed that professional, human pointers always point with two fingers (index and middle together) nowadays?

Apparently, some cultures consider the one-finger pointing gesture to be rude. Flight attendants are trained to use two fingers, as are Disney personnel.

[LukeJavan8]

Traffic police in our city use both fingers. Perhaps the
single finger looks too 'accusing' or something of that
nature.

[saparris]

Two-finger pointing must be the "new etiquette." Airline personnel, Disney employees, traffic policemen, and others I'm sure we don't know about use the gesture.

Thus, there should be a name for it.

[LukeJavan8]

Di-digital? (and here add a word for pointing.)
{but it would probably turn into didi-}?

[saparris]

Then perhaps "bi-digital." A hyphenated spelling would preserve the long i in "bi."

[beck123]

I think we should be looking for a verb form, no? I'll offer "bi-digitation," but it's so general as to be almost meaningless. Maybe "diploacromation" or "diploindication" would work, if it weren't for those double vowels.

How about "diplindication?" I like it. It has a silly sound that befits the stupid thing it describes. "Look, Abdul! The female infidel wearing the suggestive clothing is diplindicating during her moronic presentation. Inshallah, this is the last time we'll have to sit though it."

[saparris]

How about "diplindication?" I like it. It has a silly sound that befits the stupid thing it describes.

I also like "double-digiting." It sound less inflated, but 'diplindication' would make a better word of the day.