Indian sign (1895, 1897)

[Jonathan Lighter]

Good quotes.  I suspect there's a pop cultural allusion here, but I don't know to what.  Have always assumed it was some sort of magical "sign" or hex.

JL

"Douglas G. Wilson" <douglas at NB.NET> wrote:
---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
Sender: American Dialect Society
Poster: "Douglas G. Wilson"
Subject: Indian sign (1895, 1897)
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What was the basis for "Indian sign"? A hand signal (as in 'Indian sign
language')? A symbolic mark of some kind, for religious or magical purposes
or maybe for trail-blazing? Does anybody know?

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_Atlanta Constitution_, 2 Aug. 1895: p. 8:

<Signs This Afternoon. / There won't be any somnambulistic freaks in the
game at Athletic park this [afternoon.(this word illegible -- DW)] / ....>>

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_Chicago Daily Tribune_, 30 July 1897: p. 8:

[race results: race horses]

<latter had the Indian sign on the other.>>

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-- Doug Wilson


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