The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHAT A BURN

THIS GESTURE IS MADE BY HOLDING THE HAND OUT STRAIGHT. NOW MOVE THE
PINKIE, RING, AND MIDDLE FINGERS JUST ENOUGH SO THE THUMB CAN TOUCH
THEM. THE INDEX FINGER IS LEFT LOOSE. THE HAND IS NOW VIGOROUSLY
SHAKEN SO THAT THE LIMP INDEX FINGER HITS THE OTHER FINGERS. IF
DONE RIGHT, IT PRODUCES A SNAPPING NOISE. THIS MEANS "WHAT A BURN,"
OR IN OTHER WORDS, "HA HA ON YOU"

Submitter comment: I HAVE ONLY SEEN THIS GESTURE TAKE PLACE IN CALIFORNIA.

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA

Date learned: CA00001966