The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GESTURE

IF YOU WANT TO GIVE SOMEONE AN APPROXIMATE IDEA OF WHERE A CITY, TOWN
OR OTHER PLACE IN THE LOWER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN IS LOCATED, YOU CAN
USE YOUR HAND AS A MAP, BECAUSE THE SHAPE OF THE LOWER PENINSULA IS
VAGUELY LIKE THAT OF A HAND, COMPLETE WITH THUMB. TO DO THIS YOU
HOLD OUT YOUR RIGHT HAND WITH THE PALM FACING THE OTHER PERSON, AND
POINT TO THE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF THE PLACE.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A VERY HANDY GESTURE. ALL MY FRIENDS AND I USE IT, BUT WE'VE
BEEN DOING IT FOR SO LONG THAT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE IT CAME FROM.

Where learned: UNKNOWN

Date learned: CA00001968