"O. K." sign

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

   This continues the discussion in the archives of the "O. K." sign.  I
found more stuff about the Ballantine's beer "handy" sign.

10 August 1939, BUCKEYE TAVERN, pg. 7, col. 1:
   You may have noted that readers are forever being advised to "Order
Ballantine's Ale & Beer The 'Handy' Way."  The handy way refers to what we
used to call the "winged O" back in high school days.  It is (Pg. 8, col.
3--ed.) made by arching the thumb and index finger of the right hand into a
closed circle, and holding the remaining three fingers aloft as when lifting
an imported enameled tea cup of the Ming Dynasty.  If, in addition to this
signal, you can wiggle your ears, the stunt looks even better.
   Now then, readers are advised to saunter up to their favorite grog stand,
look the barkeep right in the eye, and then flash this "handy" signal at him.
 Make believe it's sign language, in other words.  This is to be done, of
course, with other standees giving you the stony stare and sizing you up as a
dimwit.

14 September 1939, BUCKEYE TAVERN, pg. 4, col. 4:
   Also, if you ever pull that Three Fingered sign of Ballantine's beer in
front of a nice Latin gal, you'll get a slap in the face.