A-ok
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An A-ok /ˌeɪ.oʊˈkeɪ/ is both a saying, derived from okay, and a hand-gesture done by connecting the thumb and forefinger into a circle (the O), and holding the other fingers straight or relaxed in the air.
Unicode symbol U+1F44C (👌) represents this gesture.
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Etymology [edit]
US Air Force Lt. Col. John "Shorty" Powers popularized the expression "A-ok" while NASA's public affairs officer for Project Mercury, attributing it to astronaut Alan Shepard during his Freedom 7 flight.[1][2] In his book The Right Stuff, however, author Tom Wolfe wrote that Powers had borrowed it from NASA engineers who used it during radio transmission tests because the sharper sound of A cut through the static better than O.[3] Apparently, the first documented use "A-ok" is contained within a memo from Tecwyn Roberts, Flight Dynamics Officer, to Flight Director (entitled "Report on Test 3805", dated Feb 2, 1961) in penciled notes on the countdown of MR-2, dated Jan 31, 1961.[4]
AOK may also have come from the use of a VOX switch. VOX means voice activated and the first sylable trips the switch and activates a radio transmitter...one may also hear the syllable ahhh frequently used in early space flights...the ahhh sound starts the transmission, rather than by pressing a button.
Multiple meanings [edit]
While the gesture is positive in some countries, in certain parts of middle and southern Europe (although not in Spain or Portugal) the gesture is considered offensive,[5] as in you are a zero or you are nothing. In some Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, as well as in Brazil, it represents vulgar expressions: either an insult (you are an asshole), or the slang for anus itself.[6] By the same symbolism, it stands for (faggot) in several South American countries.
The "A-ok" gesture is also associated with the circle game, in which players attempt to trick other players into looking at the "A-ok" below their waist.[7]
Positive connotation [edit]
In Australia and Portugal, it can either mean okay or zero.
In Finland, it is used to celebrate ending of the national service.[citation needed] During their final day in the Finnish Defence Forces, conscripts use it to denote they have zero days left in their service, and that they will receive an honorable discharge during the course of that day. It is also used to tease and taunt other conscripts that still have various numbers of days left, and are stuck while their comrades are allowed to leave. Colloquially, it is referred to as the TJ0 or 'Tänään jäljellä 0 aamua', which translates to 'Zero mornings left today'. The official TJ counter can be viewed on the Finnish Defence Forces website.[8]
In underwater diving, it widely means both Are you okay?, and its response Yes, I'm OK, or just I'm OK. It can be confusing for beginners, because using the thumbs up gesture rather than the A-ok gesture signals that the person making that gesture wants to ascend (to the surface).
In basketball, players sometimes use this gesture to show they just made a three pointer.
A similar gesture, the Vitarka mudra ("mudra of discussion") is the gesture of discussion and transmission of Buddhist teaching.[9]
Negative connotation [edit]
This gesture resembles the American Sign Language sign for the number 9, and when made with the thumb and forefinger parallel to the ground, asshole.[10]
In Venezuela, as well as Turkey,[11] it is a very offensive gesture, regarded as a reference to homosexuality, and reflecting a wider than usual (due to anal sex) anus of a homosexual man. In Peru too, but it is upside-down with the middle, ring and little fingers pointing down.[citation needed]. In Brazil it is also an offensive gesture, equivalent to showing the middle finger.[5]
In most continental European countries, when the sign is placed over the nose, with the nose protruding through the O made by the thumb and forefinger, it means drunk. The origins of this sign may stem from the hand gesture holding a bottle's head while drinking. As a bottle with alcoholic liquid is implied this refers to drinking or the state of being drunk.[citation needed]
In Japan, it also means money, and in France means zero.[12] In Chinese number gestures, it is the hand gesture for the number three.
In the Arab world, this sign is used as a threatening gesture, as in saying: "You'll see!".[13]
Some Occultists view it as the number 666 due to the circle and the three fingers behind it.[14] The sign is associated with the Illuminati or Freemasonry by some conspiracy theorists, especially when shown in the media, especially when used by certain entertainers.[15][16]
References [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: O gesture with thumb and forefinger |
- ^ "Calm Voice from Space". Time (Time Inc.). March 2, 1962. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ Strauss, Mark (April 15, 2011). "Ten Enduring Myths About the U.S. Space Program". Smithsonian (magazine). Retrieved September 8, 2011.
- ^ Wolfe, Tom The Right Stuff, p. 215
- ^ "Tecwyn Roberts: A-OK." llanddaniel.co.uk. Retrieved: May 5, 2011.
- ^ a b Dangerous Body Language Abroad, by Matthew Link. Posted Jul 26th 2010 01:00 PM. Retrieved on November 17, 2012
- ^ Body Language. Obscene, to be used with extreme moderation! Retrieved on November 17, 2012
- ^ The Original Website of the Circle Game
- ^ Försvarsmakten, the Finnish Defence Forces Varusmies (Finnish)
- ^ Gertrud Hirschi (2000). Mudras: yoga in your hands (illustrated ed.). Weiser Books. p. 140. ISBN 978-1-57863-139-1.
- ^ 7 Innocent Gestures That Can Get You Killed Overseas. By Tim Cameron, June 04, 2008. Retrieved on November 17, 2012
- ^ Hand Gestures to Avoid Abroad A Guide for American Tourists. Retrieved on November 17, 2012
- ^ American Express Travel Helpers. Cultural customs
- ^ Gestures, Arab Culture. GlobalSecurity.org PDFlink must be run with an argument PDF
- ^ OK—Sign of the Divine King
- ^ Masonic Signs in the Media
- ^ Illuminati Symbols : Satanic 666 Hand Sign
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