Fw: [USA-L News] British Deaf Association in controversial posterdrive

[Adam Schembri]

Mark,
I am not sure about New Zealand English, but this expression has the same
meaning in Australian English as it does in American English, so your advice
also works in the other direction (just in case any visiting Americans want
to try to use this expression!).
Adam Schembri

>From: Mark Mandel <Mark_Mandel at DRAGONSYS.COM>
>Reply-To: "For the discussion of linguistics and signed languages."
>      <SLLING-L at ADMIN.HUMBERC.ON.CA>
>To: SLLING-L at ADMIN.HUMBERC.ON.CA
>Subject: Re: Fw: [USA-L News] British Deaf Association in controversial
>          posterdrive
>Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 13:49:07 -0400
>
>Richard Arnold writes:
>
> >>>>>
>So you Americans if you what to jerk off a Brit or Aussie you now know how
>to
>do it.
><<<<<
>
>Uhhh... but if you Brits and Aussies want to apologize to an American,
>don't say "Sorry, I didn't mean to jerk you off." Because that verb, here,
>means not 'anger (someone)' but 'masturbate' [transitive or intransitive]!
>
>And if he then gets "pissed", he's not drunk, he's "pissed off", which is
>'angry'!
>
>-- Mark
>        Personal home page: http://world.std.com/~mam/
>
>
>
>
>Richard Arnold <Rna8arnold at AOL.COM>@ADMIN.HUMBERC.ON.CA> on 10/16/2000
>01:30:04 PM
>
>Please respond to "For the discussion of linguistics and signed languages."
>       <SLLING-L at ADMIN.HUMBERC.ON.CA>
>
>Sent by:  "For the discussion of linguistics and signed languages."
>       <SLLING-L at ADMIN.HUMBERC.ON.CA>
>
>
>To:   SLLING-L at ADMIN.HUMBERC.ON.CA
>cc:
>Subject:  Re: Fw: [USA-L News] British Deaf Association in controversial
>       posterdrive
>
>
>In a message dated 10/13/00 9:39:54 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
>Mark_Mandel at DRAGONSYS.COM writes:
>
><< Funny, I didn't think this was recognized as rude outside the USA. >>
>It is now thanks to Hollywood - see for example "Top Gun". This sign is
>also
>used in New Zealand with the meaning of 'lazy". It is the only sign with
>that
>handshape listed the NZSL Dictionary. But after reading Adam's post I
>recall
>that those same signs he mentioned may also be used in New Zealand.
>
>As for the rude two fingered British-Australian-Kiwi gesture it is not
>known
>in the USA. The palm is always facing towards the signer/gesturer, as palm
>facing away from the signer would be the commonly used Anglo-Saxon
>"peace"/"victory" gesture. It's an interesting contrast in palm
>orientation,
>although it is questionable as to whether these are true Deaf signs or just
>culturally defined gestures which the Deaf community in the UK, Australia
>and
>NZ are familiar with.
>
>So you Americans if you what to jerk off a Brit or Aussie you now know how
>to
>do it. Smile.
>
>Richard A

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