Date: Fri, 5 Dec 1997 09:31:23 +0000 From: David Bergdahl Subject: Re: "Ich bin ein Berliner" Duane Campbell wrote: > > At 12:37 PM 11/27/97 -0500, you wrote: > > > When time permits, I'll send along some other examples of gaffes in > >communication. Two come to mind now. During his presidency, George Bush > >visited Australia, and flashed the V (for Victory) sign when getting off > >the plane. I remember the American newspapers explaining the next day > >that in Australia that sign is an indecent gesture. > > I wonder what the Aussies thought of Churchill. > \ > > Duane Campbell dcamp[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]epix.net > http://www.epix.net/~dcamp/ It's not just limited to Aussies. The significant feature that makes this iconic sign obscene is the side of the hand facing outwards; Field Marshall Montgomery, I believe, once erred is giving a "Fuck Off" sign where "Victory" would have been more appropriate. I *think* the obscene version is with the inside of the hand [and knuckles] visible and victory the back of the hand--but I could be wrong. -- _____________________________________________________________________ david.bergdahl[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ohiou.edu Ohio University / Athens http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~bergdahl Ellis Hall 114c tel: (740) 593-2783 [no office hrs during fax: (740) 593-2818 break, only by appt]