Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2015 February 2

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February 2

Gesture (presumably American)

A bunch of American movies I've seen, as well as daily life, as I presume, feature a gesture when a satisfied person cheerfully stretches out his/her hand and points with an index finger towards a person he/she okayes. Is there any specific name for such approval gesture? Off the top of my head I can't link any specific video, but it could be seen when for example a politician appears on public. I got an impression that it's a typical American gesture. Brandmeister^talk 01:34, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

I assume you mean this gesture? [1] I don't know its name other than pointing, but I hope this helps. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 13 Shevat 5775 01:52, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

I call it the "Hey, you're alright!" or "This guy gets it!". Some people (like the guy in the picture above) choose to go full out "finger gun and wink", but that's not alright, unless you're trying to be cheesy. InedibleHulk (talk) 02:13, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

It could also get a student expelled from school in some places, but yes it's generally one of the marks of being a tool. Actually, Buddy Christ is closest to what he's asking for. Forgot how it looked. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 13 Shevat 5775 02:50, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

I'll agree with InedibleHulk here. I would call that the "you're the one" gesture, and it doesn't have to consist of the cheesy image WMFP provided, just a single loose hand with an index finger extended. Desmond Morris has a book Gestures: Their Origin and Distribution (1979) on gestures, it may include this one. μηδείς (talk) 03:05, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

I don't know if it goes as far as saying, 'You're the One,' but it definitely implies that the target is indeed both awesome and praiseworthy. Give me a break. That pic is the only one I could find without having a name for it. :( Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 13 Shevat 5775 03:13, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

No, no breaks for "Sirs". We did away with that when we drove George bonkers. Since then you've always been a favored aunt or uncle, but not one with a blank Czech. μηδείς (talk) 05:28, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Well, the real Petrie was known to lose his head from time to time.[2] Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 13 Shevat 5775 05:39, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Bill Clinton was big on pointing at people as he spoke. I think the "buddy Jesus" point is just an exaggeration of Clinton's trademark way of connecting with his audience. Guettarda (talk) 06:06, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Oh dear God, you're right.[3] Though it actually makes sense given that the movie came out in '99. By the way, do we have a name for this yet? It seems like a wink or some kind of head nod is required for it to be a sort "this guy right he-ah!" gesture as opposed to rudely pointing at someone. There must be a name for it. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 13 Shevat 5775 07:03, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

I hadn't noticed that Buddy Christ is also doing the Clinton thumb. Guettarda (talk) 17:05, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Finger_gun(s) or finger pistol(s) - [4] [5] [6]. It doesn't always really invoke guns, but that's still a common name for the gesture. It can be a "cool guy" or "A OK" gesture, but very similar gestures could also be intended as a threat. Probably not a threat when this guy does it [7], but context is important. Here's a rage comic meme/image thing that pops up often - this site calls it "you're the man" [8] SemanticMantis (talk) 17:51, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

This google image search for /you're the man/ is mostly on-point [9]. Medeis might be using "the one" in an effort toward gender neutrality, but "the one" usually has connotations of romance or a messiah figure - this /you're the one/ image search doesn't have any finger guns that I can see: [10]. /You're awesome/ has some fairly similar results to /you're the man/ or /finger gun/ [11]. SemanticMantis (talk) 18:15, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Damn it! I hate it when my attempts at gender neutrality have romantic or messianic connotations! Oh, wicked, bad, naughty, evil Zoot! μηδείς (talk) 20:49, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

[It reminds me of a foam hand.—Wavelength (talk) 20:04, 2 February 2015 (UTC)]

Yep, this is how the gesture looks like. It differs from finger guns, from what I see. Brandmeister^talk 21:16, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Yes, that's what I meant by the "just a single loose hand with an index finger extended", although I've never watched American Psycho. The upward pointing gesture is one of self congratulation, as if one has put a tick mark on a blackboard. People with the foam hands point up, not sideways. μηδείς (talk) 02:28, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

I think it's normally done with two hands though, like so.[12] Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 14 Shevat 5775 02:46, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

That's the one I call "Hey, you're alright!" More direct, plenty of eye contact. "This guy gets it!" is more a vague nod and sweeping point in the general direction of anyone who might nod back. Which to use depends on whether your audience are stoners or voters, but it's pretty safe to assume anyone who points at you from a stage is a charming psychopath. Doesn't always mean they're going to kill you, thankfully. InedibleHulk (talk) 03:04, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

I think this whole discussion helps to illustrate the fact that the hand gesture article is woefully inadequate. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 14 Shevat 5775 03:33, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

Well it does omit the most popular hand gesture of them all. Somebody add this, please. Thank you. (It's not very well executed, but it's the best example we have.) ―Mandruss ☎ 05:37, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

You could have a whole separate article on Italian hand gestures (I would actually pay for that one), especially the >800 documented Sicilian ones. And yes that is a glaring omission. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 14 Shevat 5775 05:47, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

Why are Superbowl games usually 4 hours, when almost all other NFL games are 2:45 to 3:00 hours?

The question is in the title. I know Superbowl halftime is longer than the standard NFL 13 minute halftime but it's certainly not an hour longer! Why are Superbowls almost always 4 hours long? Kickoff is usually around 6:18pm EST and usually ends around 10:15pm. Thanks. Zombiesturm (talk) 03:14, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Longer halftime. Longer/more commercials. --Onorem (talk) 03:19, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

This one went from about 6:30 to a little after 10. A bit over 3 1/2 hours. Not bad. And regular season 1:00 starts often go until 4:15 or 4:30. Again, that's about 3 1/2 hours. Not that much difference. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:44, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Try watching an actual international game - this one lasts for six days, sometimes...because the Gods on the field need to rest on the seventh day.... :) KägeTorä - (^影_虎) (Chin Wag) 05:40, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Or if 3-4 hours is too long, try watching a sport where a match often lasts for just a few seconds. (Hmm. Doesn't give a lot of time for commercial interruptions...) --65.94.50.4 (talk) 06:01, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

My sport sells a half-hour to FOX for each of its shows' twelve or so bouts. If a fight ends in eight seconds, that means 26 minutes of commercials and desk banter. Same for the next one. When every match drags to a decision, it sort of makes the show less tiring. InedibleHulk (talk) 07:40, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

part time courses university toronto

Do York, U of Toronto and Ryerson universities offer part time courses for degree especially in history? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.29.32.124 (talk) 20:32, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Here's the page for U Toronto History programs [13]. Here is a page on part time student opportunities [14]. I'd recommend you contact them directly, as they will be the authority on their own programs. My experience based on universities in the USA is that part time status should not prevent a degree from being granted, but that there are certain privileges that status as a full-time student will grant. For example, some financial aid (U Toronto here: [15]) and work study programs are restricted to full time students. But you'll have to contact the institutions directly for guidance. SemanticMantis (talk) 21:17, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Is there ever a Spartacus_(TV_series) convention in North America especially in California?

Please let me know. Venustar84 (talk) 23:45, 2 February 2015 (UTC)

Given the show is cancelled and the original star died of cancer, it is unlikely they'll have stand alone conventions. You have asked similar questions about a dozen times before. Such conventions are highly advertised, since they want attendees. (In other words, we can't do better for you on this than google can.) Here are various Spartacus fan club sites. I'd use google and search those sites especially. μηδείς (talk) 02:24, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

It looks like the remaining cast is reuniting in June.[16] Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 14 Shevat 5775 02:48, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

Be aware, Sir William, that the user normally asks about locations near British Columbia, here California, not Florida. μηδείς (talk) 03:08, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

If they're a true and proper nerd, the OP can purchase a plane to Florida. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 14 Shevat 5775 03:25, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

They could do that. But it might be more economical to just book a flight on one going that way instead... --Jayron32 15:09, 3 February 2015 (UTC)

Or they could really get into the spirit of things, lead a revolt by oppressed passengers and steal a plane to freedom (or Florida). Clarityfiend (talk) 04:12, 5 February 2015 (UTC)

I meant to say plane ticket, but my iPad's autocorrect is an exceptional troll and this resulted in a funnier chain of posts anyway. Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 16 Shevat 5775 15:31, 5 February 2015 (UTC)