Germans typically show the number 3 by extending their thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Unlike in English-speaking countries, where counting often starts with the index finger, Germans start counting with the thumb, making it the first digit.
In Germany, counting begins with the thumb, so 'three' is thumb + index + middle finger. In the UK, people almost never use the thumb: they show 'three' with index + middle + ring finger instead. This tiny cultural detail was even used to create an iconic scene in a Hollywood movie… do you know which one?
In Inglourious Basterds, the three-finger gesture is a crucial plot point revealing the British spy (Lt. Hicox) as an imposter because he uses the Anglo-American method (thumb, index, middle finger) for counting three, while Germans and most of Europe count starting with the thumb (thumb, index, middle finger), making his index, middle, and ring fingers up a fatal giveaway to the Gestapo officer. It signifies cultural difference, but some theories suggest German Major Hellstrom knew they were spies earlier, using the gesture as a final confirmation or even a deliberate taunt.
A German would have ordered “three” with the index, middle finger, and thumb extended. Have a look at this short video where people around the world show how they count with their fingers.
The gesture was devised by Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy as a salute for the alien Vulcan species, and is popular within the science fiction fandom and nerd culture. The blessing phrase "live long and prosper" (written by Theodore Sturgeon) is frequently spoken alongside it.
For “1,” the thumb on the dominant hand (H1) is extended; for “2,” the thumb and index finger are extended; for “3,” the thumb, index finger, and ring finger are extended; for “4,” the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinkie are extended; and for “5,” all fingers of H1 are extended.
What's the Devil Horn Hand Sign? The sign of the Horned Hand is a typical Italian gesture where the index and pinky fingers are raised (while the other three fingers are kept low) to symbolize a pair of horns that would drive away bad luck and the malevolent eye of fate.
Gorlomi in Russian means “throat” and to any that've seen the movie knows that Raine(Brad Pitt) has a very large scar across his neck, one that everyone knows is a signifying mark of Aldo “The Apache” Raine.
What does 3 fingers up mean in Inglourious Basterds?
In Inglourious Basterds, the three-finger gesture is a crucial plot point revealing the British spy (Lt. Hicox) as an imposter because he uses the Anglo-American method (thumb, index, middle finger) for counting three, while Germans and most of Europe count starting with the thumb (thumb, index, middle finger), making his index, middle, and ring fingers up a fatal giveaway to the Gestapo officer. It signifies cultural difference, but some theories suggest German Major Hellstrom knew they were spies earlier, using the gesture as a final confirmation or even a deliberate taunt.
In Inglourious Basterds (2009), a British spy disguised as a German officer makes a fatal mistake when ordering three drinks, he raises the wrong three fingers. Germans signal “three” with the thumb, index, and middle finger, but he used the index, middle, and ring finger instantly exposing his true identity.
In Germany, you press your thumbs when you're wishing someone good luck. It's the equivalent of crossing your fingers for someone. Someone might say to you “Ich drück' dir die Daumen!” in the same way one says “I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!” in English.
Post-1945. Today in Germany, Nazi salutes in written form, vocally, and even straight-extending the right arm as a saluting gesture (with or without the phrase), are illegal. The offence is punishable by up to three years in prison.
To say "hi" in German, you can use the simple and common "Hallo," or even just "Hi" or "Hey," as they are also used in German; for more specific times, use "Guten Morgen" (Good morning), "Guten Tag" (Good day/afternoon), or "Guten Abend" (Good evening).
Looking at the longest German word, donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän, or even the old and now defunct longest word, rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz, which means “beef labeling supervision duties delegation law,” it is clear that the German language is intriguing and unique.
An index finger pointing to the right. Since 2020 this emoji has been known to be combined with the 🥺 Pleading Face and the 👈 Backhand Index Pointing Left to indicate a bashful or shy pose (🥺👉👈), also often called a "simp" pose.
With the palm of the hand facing inward toward the signer (i.e. with the back of the hand facing the observer), this is seen as an insulting gesture in Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, akin to giving the finger.
