History Main / HandSignals

This trope is frequently played for laughs, usually through LampshadeHanging. Instances include a character [[NonverbalMiscommunication misunderstanding a signal]], thinking a character is gesturing meaninglessly when they are attempting to frantically make themselves understood, and the gratuitous use of hand signals when they aren't required.

Hand Signals are prevalent in reality as well as fiction. Whenever you indicate something by pointing at it, you're using a hand signal . Armed forces use them all the time, for convenience or stealth. Here, try it yourself: when someone approaches you, hold your hand out to them, palm-out, for "[[TalkToTheHand Stop]]." You didn't actually ''say'' "Stop," but the other person saw your gesture and probably knew its meaning intuitively. The "Cut-Off" signal, made by either pointing two fingers at your throat and waving back and forth or by drawing an extended index finger across your jugular vein, is also an example of a gesture with a universally recognized ([[ThroatSlittingGesture not to say slightly disturbing]]) meaning.

* ''TabletopGame/{{GURPS}} Fantasy II''. The Madlanders have a set of hand signs that they use to communicate with each other while hunting.

** The Drow had a language of hand signs in their original appearance.
** TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms {{sourcebook}} on Harpers also mentioned their own "silent code" of gestures and expresions. High Drow (archaic dialect used mostly in sacred texts and secret talks between priestesses) is said to have its own hand sign system.
** 1st Edition had alignment languages, which included special signals and gestures.

* ''TabletopGame/InNomine'' (American version) supplement ''Superiors I: War and Honor''. When questioning/interrogating an angel, Dominic's angels communicate with each other using finger/hand codes so as not to tip off the suspect.
* ''Neverwhere'' RPG. Sewer Folk use Handsign (hand signals, mime and touch) to communicate with each other.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Paranoia}}''
** 1st Edition adventure ''The Yellow Clearance Black Box Blues'' Mission 4. When the Boss Honcho of the PACE Studio realizes that the Troubleshooters want Black Boxes, he will use a hand sign to his Goons as a signal to attack.
** The XP edition has a skill for this (Twitchtalk). Secret societies often use it for recognition signals (many of which are similar enough to be [[HilarityEnsues mixed up]]).
* Midkemia Press' ''Heart of the Sunken Lands''. The undead slaves of the People of the Pit can't speak because they have no heads. They communicate with their masters by using hand signals instead.

* ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "The Doomsday Machine". When Spock relieves Commodore Decker of duty and Decker refuses, Spock gives a hand signal to a nearby security guard, beckoning them over to reinforce his threat to arrest him if he refuses.

* ''Series/{{Treadstone}}''. Matt Edwards is surrounded by a CIA Alpha team with orders to terminate him, but claims someone is covering him with an [=AR15=] rifle. When they demand proof of this, he raises a finger and a [[DoubleTap couple of shots]] ring out, a second finger beings two more, then a clenched fist for cease fire.

* ''Film/Dune2021''. Used by Lady Jessica when she wants to communicate covertly to her son Paul, or her personal bodyguard.

* ''Series/TheLWord'': Jodi is deaf and speaks using ASL. Bette learned this language, too, so she could communicate with Jodi, after [[spoiler:they become a couple]]. We are also treated to a silent shouting match between Jodi and her ex which [[FlippingTheBird culminated in a sign that required no proficiency in a sign language to understand]], and a little bit of actual shouting.

* At the beginning of ''Film/{{Ultraviolet}}'', the commando team leader uses the "closed fist" signal for "stop".

* ''Webcomic/{{Outsider}}'': As Jardin and the Loroi are preparing for [[spoiler:the Umiak to board ''Highland-Seven'']], Tempo gives a three-fingered gesture that confirms that's what's about to happen.

* ''Film/ResidentEvil''. While infiltrating the underground base, Rain uses signals to control the advance of the rest of the team and is echoed by the team leader.

* ''Film/{{CODA}}'': At least half the film dialogue is in American Sign Language, due to much of the cast being Deaf. Ruby, who is the titular CODA (child of deaf adults) also knows ASL fluently, translating for her parents and brother, who are Deaf.

* ''Literature/TheFamousFive'': In ''Five go off in a Caravan'', Nobby is surprised to see Julian on the roof of one of the caravans. Julian frantically gestures to him to stay away, but Nobby does not understand, but climbs a hill to meet him, stepping right on top the sleeping villains Lou and Dan (on whom Julian had been spying).

** And made the subject of a joke when Newt also gives a deadpan thumbs up during a debate about the survivors' course of action.

* Characters in ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' are quite prone to using hand signals, albeit often as much as signs to the readers of their reactions to events as attempts to communicate with each other. Many of the specific signs they use come from Japanese anime or manga, which are a subtle but pervasive influence in this comic; they act as a sort of cultural BilingualBonus to readers who are familiar with that material.
* ''Webcomic/YetAnotherFantasyGamerComic'':
** [[http://yafgc.net/comic/0242-whatd-you-say/ Strip #0242]] demonstrates that quite a lot can be got across with a few gestures.
** The goblin tribe from the Princess Goldie subplot apparently don't speak, [[https://www.yafgc.net/comic/2220-plan/ and they communicate through signs.]]

** With the language-learning rules being quite generous, it's not unusual for a group of third edition PCs to all learn one of these obscure sign languages, for secret intra-group communication.

Hand Signals are prevalent in reality as well as fiction. Whenever you indicate something by pointing at it, you're using a hand signal . Armed forces use them all the time, for convenience or stealth. Here, try it yourself: when someone approaches you, hold your hand out to them, palm-out, for "Stop." You didn't actually ''say'' "Stop," but the other person saw your gesture and probably knew its meaning intuitively. The "Cut-Off" signal, made by either pointing two fingers at your throat and waving back and forth or by drawing an extended index finger across your jugular vein, is also an example of a gesture with a universally recognized (not to say slightly disturbing) meaning.

* ''Year of the Gun'' (1991). After receiving a phone call that Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro's convoy is on the way, a terrorist runs a hand through his hair to signal the female terrorist in charge of the kidnap team.

* In ''Film/BattleLosAngeles'' Both the Marines ''and'' [[NotSoDifferent the aliens]] use hand signals.