[HPforGrownups] Re: Peter and the Finger

[Laura Lynn Walsh]

No: HPFGUIDX 181913


On 2008, Mar 05, , at 14:08, dannanotdayna wrote:

>> Laura:
>>
>>> I was listening to PoA and was at the part where Pettigrew
>>> points at someone. When he does so, he has to point with
>>> his middle finger, as his index finger is missing. I hadn't
>>> realized what image that would project. I am sure she
>>> meant it, as it is fairly explicit.
> <SNIP>
>
>> montims:
>
>> In Britain, this gesture is not common, except for those that
>> like to adopt Americanisms - it is the traditional V sign that
>> is offensive - so offensive in my mind, at least, that I think
>> I have never used it...
>
>
> Sorry, I have to ask; my curiosity is piqued. The index
> and middle finger sign Americans use for peace or victory
> is offensive in England? I have to go Google British sign
> language, because that sign is also part of the ASL alphabet.
>
> Is it's meaning analagous to our "FU" finger?
>
> I'll also toss in my two cents that I would be really surprised
> if JKR meant Pettigrew's pointing to have a double meaning. When
> she wants to toss in something colorful, she isn't really sneaky
> about it. We got "effing" and "Bitch" in DH and a bit of an
> eyebrow-raising conversation between Harry and Ginny, to boot.
>
> ~Dananotdayna

Well, perhaps it comes from my own oversensitivity.  As a
substitute teacher with 11 and 12 year olds, everything seems
to take on the context of sexual innuendo or offensive symbolism.
But, whether intended or not, it certainly does bring up an image
in my mind - similar to the effect of having to shake hands with
one of my teachers who had lost all of the fingers on his right
hand except one (in WW II).

Laura
-- 
Laura Lynn Walsh    lwalsh at acsalaska.net
http://llwcontemplations.blogspot.com



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