Chapter V

=Vain.= Sign _Beautiful_; then draw head and body back with an arrogant look. (Blackfoot.) Sign _Paint_, _Dress_, _Good_, _Love_. (C) See _Pride_.

Fr. _vain_; Ger. _eitel_.

=Valise.= Hold out both arms, level, low, parallel; hands flat, but bent at right angles to arms; palms to you, tips touching. Add _Clothes_ and _Enter_ twice or three times.

Fr. _la valise_; Ger. _der Handkoffer_.

=Very Much=, =Heap Much=, =Strong=, =Brave=, =Superlative=. Hold left S hand, back out, in front of body; forearm horizontal and pointing to right and front; bring the ditto right hand some six inches above and a little in front of left hand; strike downward with right hand, mostly by elbow action, the second joints of right hand passing close to and about on a line with knuckles of left hand. This is very like _Strong_ and seems in some renditions to be the same.

It is also used for _Very_, _Very Much_, and for a certain strong English adjective that is omitted from the Sunday School readers. Compare _Strong_.

Fr. _beaucoup_, _très_; Ger. _sehr_, _viel_.

=Vessel.= See _Bowl_.

=Victor.= See _Kill_ and _Triumph_.

=Vigilant= or =Watchful=. Sign _Look_, in different directions, and _All the time_.

Fr. _vigilant_; Ger. _wachsam_.

=Village= (Many Lodges). Sign _Lodges_ or _Teepees_ and _Many_.

Fr. _le village_; Ger. _das Dorf_.

=Vine.= Sign _Tree_ with left; then with right G trace the vine’s course about it.

Fr. _la vigne_; Ger. _die Ranke_.

=Volley.= See _Fire_.

=Vomit.= Hold compressed right hand back up below chin, pointed to left and upward, move it upward forward and down, point first, once or twice.

Fr. _vomir_; Ger. (_sich_) _brechen_, _sich übergeben_.

W

=Wager.= See _Bet_.

=Wagon.= With index and thumb of each hand make two vertical circles, hands held backs up, a foot apart and shoulder high; by wrist action rotate these circles and move them forward a little.

Fr. _la voiture_; Ger. _der Wagen_.

=Wait= (Stop here). Flat hand up, palm forward; then gently bent forward to nearly level, palm down. Compare _Halt_.

Fr. _attendez!_; Ger. _warten!_

=Waken.= Sign _Sleep_ and _Arise_ (That is, lay the right G horizontally on breast and swing it out upright a foot away, back to right). Or sign _Sleep_ and _Done_, i.e., _Ended_.

Fr. _réveiller_, _s’éveiller_; Ger. _wecken_, _erwachen_.

=Walk= or =March=. (For a person.) (Shape and movement of feet.) Hold out the flat hands, backs up, a few inches apart, pointing to front; swing the right forward, upward, and downward to same height as when starting; then the left ditto; draw the right hand to rear. Repeat these motions.

=Walk= (For an animal). With the S hands, backs up, go through the same as above.

Fr. _marcher_; Ger. _gehen_.

=Wall= or =Fence=. Push flat hands straight forward, points up, palms in; then, when well out, turn palms toward you and swing together. Compare _Valise_ and _Box_.

Fr. _le mur_; Ger. _die Mauer_, _das Gitter_.

=Wandering.= Hold up right G, palm forward; advance it with excessive sweeping zigzags from side to side, forming loops. These loops are 18 inches across; their plan, seen from above, is in the lower scroll. Compare _Alive_ and _White-tail Deer_.

Fr. _errant_; Ger. _wandernd_.

=Want= (To), =Crave=, =Desire=, =Wish=, =Anxious for=, =Will= (Thirsty for). Hold the right hand, back to right, in front of and near chin; form a vertical incomplete circle with G index and thumb. Swing the hand down past the mouth, outward and upward, turning it at the finish so that the little finger is as high as the index.

Fr. désirer; Ger. wünschen.

=Wapiti.= See _Elk_.

=War.= See _Fight_.

=War-cry.= See _Battle-cry_.

=Warm, To= (One’s hands). Hold out both flat hands, side by side, breast high, backs up, slightly curved as though over a fire; then rub them together. (Blackfoot.)

=Warm=, =I am warm=. Draw the 5 hands down over breast, then hold out together, palms down, pointing forward. See also _Hot_.

Fr. _chaud_; Ger. _warm_.

=Warning=, =Beware=, =Caution=, or =Look out=. Raise right index, rest closed; turn hand so as to have right eye, index, and the person in line; at the same time, shake the head a little. (Sheeaka.)

Fr. _l’avertissement_, _prenez garde!_; Ger. _die Warnung_,
_Vorsicht!_

=Warpath, To go to War= (The thumb chasing the index). With its index at a right angle with the palm and pointing toward the left, other fingers closed, its thumb extended and upright near base of the index, back of hand outward; move the right hand forward with a long downward then upward curve in front of the right shoulder.

Fr. _le chemin de guerre_; Ger. _der Kriegspfad_.

=Washing Clothes.= Rub with both fists as on a rubbing board. Old gesture was to rub the right fist circularly, palm down, on the left, palm up.

Fr. _laver_; Ger. _waschen_.

=Washington.= Sign _White Man_, _All_, _Chief_, _High_. (Sheeaka.)

=Watch= (A timepiece). Form a horizontal circle with thumb and index of left hand, others closed; tap around on this with the tip of right G.

Fr. _la montre_; Ger. _die Taschenuhr_.

=Watch.= See _Look_.

=Water, Running.= See _River_.

=Water= (In general). Bring the slightly cupped right palm from forward nearly level to near the chin. Compare _Drink_ and _Speech_.

Fr. _l’eau_; Ger. _das Wasser_.

=Waterfall.= See _Fall of Water_.

=Way=, =Manner=, =Road=, =Method=, =Custom=, =Plan=, =Trail=, =Law=, etc. Both hands flat, palms up, but thumb sides higher, side by side, pointing front, breast high, alternately advanced and withdrawn. Much used among _Indians_ and sometimes equivalent to _-ship_ or _-ness_, as in _Kingship_ or _Goodness_. Compare _Walk_ and _Road_.

Fr. _le chemin_, _la manière_; Ger. _der Weg_, _die Art und Weise_.

=We=, =Us=, and =Our= (Me all). Touch one’s chest with right thumb, fingers closed, then add _All_. (Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes sign _Me_, _All_, and _Together_.

Fr. _nous_, _notre_; Ger. _wir_, _unser_.

=Weak.= Swing the bent arms slowly from side to side as in walking weakly. Or _Strong_, and _No_. See _Tired_ and _Lazy_.

Fr. _faible_; Ger. _schwach_.

=Weary.= See _Tired_.

=Weasel.= With right G curved, back up, imitate bounding; then indicate _Tail_ and _Half_, _Black_. (Sheeaka.)

Fr. _la belette_; Ger. _das Wiesel_.

=Week.= See _Time_ and _Sun_.

=Weep.= See _Cry_.

=Weigh= (Metaphorically). See _Consider_.

=Welcome.= Sign _Come_ and _Good_.

Fr. _bienvenu_; Ger. _willkommen_.

=Well=, =Good Health= (Body strong). Flat hands one on each side of the body; draw them away, clench them and move them down with a jerk. (Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes sign _All_, _Body_ (_as above_), _Hard_. Compare _Sick_ and _Lungs_.

Fr. _bien portant_, _la bonne sante_; Ger. _wohl_, _die Gesundheit_.

=What?= See _Question_.

=When?= See _Question_.

=Whence?= See _Question_.

=Where?= See _Question_.

=Wherever= (All places). Hold right G out, back up, pointing toward horizon. Swing slowly in a half-circle up and over to left, then back to right; repeat.

Fr. _en quelque lieu que ce soit_; Ger. _wo auch nur_.

=Whether.= See _If_.

=Whetstone.= Sign _Hard_, then hold out left N hand and rub right N hand on it, with long, sweeping strokes.

Fr. _la pierre à aiguiser_; _Ger. der Wetzstein_.

=Which?= See _Question_.

=Which.= See _Who_.

=While, After a.= See _Bye and bye_.

=While=, =Every Little While=. Hold out left G, pointing to right; with left G tap on it several times, each time moving the right nearer the base of left G. See, _All the time_. Compare _Peas_ and _Buy_.

Fr. _à chaque moment_; Ger. _jeden Augenblick_.

=While=, =Meanwhile=, or =During=. Sign _Time_, slowly moving hands until about six inches apart. Some shake the right hand in drawing it back. Or sign _Time_, _Sit_. Compare _Time_, _Sometimes_, _Soon_.

Fr. _pendant_; Ger. _während_.

=Whirlwind.= See _Cyclone_.

=Whiskey.= Sign _Fire_ and _Water_, or _Crazy_, _Water_. Although some Cheyennes call beer fire-water, because of the explosion and froth.

Fr. _le whiskey_, _l’eau-de-vie_; Ger. _der Whisky_, _der Branntwein_.

=Whisper=, or =Speak Privately=. Hold up flat right hand, thumb at one side of the mouth, and incline the head. Or sign _Hide_ and _Talk_.

Fr. _chuchoter_; Ger. _flüstern_.

=White= (Color). See _Colors_.

=White= or =White Man= (Hat or Cap wearers). Hold right G hand, back up and to right, in front of, close to, and a little to left of face, pointing to left; draw the hand to right, index finger passing horizontally in front of eyes. Sometimes add _Man_.

Fr. _l’homme blanc_; Ger. _der Weisze_.

=Whither?= See _Question_.

=Who= or =Which= (This equals that). Hold the two G fingers side by side on left; then, keeping the relative positions, swing them to the right. (W. C. Roe.) Probably modern. This is the same as _As_; the context alone shows which is meant.

=Why?= See _Question_.

=Wicky-up.= Swing the curved G fingers together in dome shape, left tip resting on right tip; then change to curved 4 hands and swing down and apart on a curve. (C)

=Wide.= See _Broad_.

=Wife.= Make signs for _Female_, then _Marry_. Usually sign _My_ (or _His_) _Woman_.

Fr. _la femme_; Ger. _die Frau_, _die Gattin_.

=Wild.= Sign _Bad_; then push both 5 hands forward, thumbs up, six inches apart, switching them simultaneously from side to side. Sometimes use _Crazy_ or _Free_.

=Wild= (Wild animal). Sign _Look_ backward, then add _Go_ quickly. Sometimes use _Free_.

Fr. _sauvage_; Ger. _wild_.

=Will.= See _Want_.

=Will= or =Shall= (Futurity). Hold the right open flat hand, palm to left, pointing straight out and elevated near ear. Push it straight forward and upward the length of the arm. Sometimes sign _Time Ahead_ or _Far Ahead_. Compare _Past_ and _Future_.

Fr. _le futur exprimé par l’inflexion du verbe_; Ger. _werden_,
_wollen_.

=Win= or =Overcome=. Make sign for _Kill_; and indicate in what way. Thus, a person winning at gambling “Kills” the other in that way.

Fr. _gagner_, _vaincre_; Ger. _gewinnen_, _siegen_.

=Wind.= Hold up the 5 hands, shoulder high, backs up, a few inches apart, pointed forward and hands moved with a tremulous motion in direction of wind. If strong wind, preface this with _Fire-off_ or _Charge_. Or Sign _Forward_, using both hands. See _Rumor_ and _Storm_.

Fr. _le vent_; Ger. _der Wind_.

=Wing.= Hold out left arm level, bent; sweep flat right 5 hand over it from shoulder down. Or, sometimes flap one hand as in _Bird_. Compare _Hair_.

Fr. _l’aile_; Ger. _der Flügel_.

=Winter= (Cold time). Hold closed hands in front of body, forearms about vertical, hands several inches apart; give a shivering, tremulous motion to hands; Sometimes, and particularly with Northern Indians, the sign for _Snow_ is made. Add _Time_, if there is any doubt.

Fr. _l’hiver_; Ger. _der Winter_.

=Wipe Out=, =Excuse=, or =Forgive= (To wipe it off). Hold left hand flat, palm up; smartly brush it with finger tips of right flat hand, from wrist to fingers and beyond. Compare _Exterminate_ and _Color_. For the stronger idea, see _Pardon_.

Fr. _excuser_; Ger. _verzeihen_.

=Wire.= Hold right G back nearly up, pointing to left, about face high, near left shoulder; draw it across level to right shoulder. Compare _Creek_ and _Rope_.

Fr. _le fil de métal_; Ger. _der Draht_.

=Wise=, =Wisdom= (Heart and head good). Sign _Heart_, then touch forehead and sign _Good_. (C) Or, _Heap_, _Understand_. Sometimes use _Cunning_.

Fr. _sage_, _la sagesse_; Ger. _klug_, _die Weisheit_.

=Wish.= See _Want_.

=Witch.= Cross the upright thumb of right hand on the middle of the index, which is a little bent, other fingers straight, held so one can sight over the thumb at the person meant. (Ruggles.) Also used for _Distrust_ and _Discredited_. Widely established in the mountains.

Fr. _la sorcière_; Ger. _die Hexe_.

=With= or =Together=. Hold out the flat left, fingers forward, level, back to left; and lay the side of the right G finger, pointed forward, against the centre of the left palm. Sometimes means _Add_. See _Together_ and _Beside_.

Fr. _avec_, _ensemble_; Ger. _mit_, _zusammen_.

=Within= or =Inside=. See _In_.

=Wolf.= Hold the right V hand, palm forward, near right shoulder, pointing straight upward; move it a little forward and up. See _Scout_.

Fr. _le loup_; Ger. _der Wolf_.

=Wolverine.= Sign _Bear_, _Small_, and indicate bushy tail. This is merely a description, not an established sign.

Fr. _le carcajou_, _le volverenne_; Ger. _der braune Vielfrasz_.

=Woman.= Make the sign for _Female_; sometimes also indicate height. Compare _Comb_.

Fr. _la femme_; Ger. _die Frau_.

=Wonderful.= See _Glow_.

=Wood= or =Timber=. Sign _Tree_, then indicate size and shape. Add _Chop_ and throw forward (i.e., onto fire).

Fr. _le bois_; Ger. _das Holz_.

=Woodchuck= or =Groundhog=. With compressed right, back up, pushed forward, rolling from side to side, indicate the animal, its _Size_; then, with left H hand near upper lip and right H hand near lower, show the action of the front teeth, which differ from those of other rodents its equal in size in being _White_. This is not an established sign, but suggested as a description.

Fr. _la grande marmotte d’Amérique_; Ger. _das virginische
Murmeltier_.

=Woodcraft Boy.= The Y hand; this denotes the Horned Shield, the symbol of the Order. (Not Indian.)

=Woodcraft Girl.= Make the sign of _Sun_ on the heart and then raise it to the zenith. (Not Indian.)

=Woodpecker.= Sign _Bird_, then hold left arm upright for _Tree_ and on this place the partly compressed right; make it hop up and tap the left palm with curved right G.

Fr. _le pic_, _le pivert_, _l’èpeiche_; Ger. _der Specht_.

=Word= (One piece of talk). Make C and lay it on the mouth, then swing it forward and a little down. (A very doubtful sign given by Sheeaka.)

Fr. _le mot_; Ger. _das Wort_.

=Word of Honor.= See _Cross the heart_. (Pop.)

=Work=, =Doing=, =Make=, or =Act=. Hold the flat hands four inches apart, palm to palm, level, left a little ahead; push them forward a little, simultaneously, and, at the same time, swing the points upward and downward briskly by wrist action, so that the finger points follow the lines shown in the cut. To complete the sign, the action should be repeated at the left side with the hands reversed with regard to each other; but usually the first only is given. Possibly refers to fleshing a hide, which was about the hardest work in an Indian camp. For _Work hard_, use both A fists instead of flat hands.

Fr. _travailler_; Ger. _arbeiten_.

=World.= See _Earth_.

=Wound= (The course of arrow or bullet). Swing the right G hand toward the body, point first, back of hand to left and front, so that the tip just grazes the surface of the body and passes on, as though glancing off. Compare _Ache_.

Fr. _la blessure_; Ger. _verwunden_.

=Wrap.= Bring the slightly compressed hands, backs outward, in front of body, backs of fingers of right hand resting against inner surface of left, index fingers about horizontal; rotate the hands around each other.

Fr. _envelopper_; Ger. _einwickeln_.

=Wrestle.= Cross the wrists about two feet in front of the face, hands clenched as in _Prisoner_; then wriggle them from side to side.

Fr. _lutter_; Ger. _ringen_, _kämpfen_.

=Wring.= Hold the left A hand palm up and the right A hand back up, index of each touching thumb of the other as though holding a rope; then twist by wrist action till the position of each hand is reversed.

Fr. _tordre_; Ger. _ringen_.

=Wrinkle.= Wrinkle the skin of forehead and pinch same; also draw lines on face with finger tip. Sometimes omit last.

Fr. _la ride_, _le pli_; Ger. _die Runzel_, _die Falte_.

=Write= or =Writing=. With an imaginary pencil in right fingers, write on left palm; or in the air simply.

This last preceded by _Come_ is commonly used in European hotels for “_Give me my bill_.”

Fr. _écrire_; Ger. _schreiben_.

=Wrong.= Sign _Honest_ and _Not_; or else _Bad_. Sometimes use _Different_ and _Bad_. See _Crooked_.

Fr. _tort_; Ger. _unrecht_.

Y

=Year.= See _Time_.

=Yell=, =Holla=, or =Cry Out=. Place the G hand on the mouth, jerking it much upward and a little forward to show the sound coming out of the mouth and going far. Compare _Called_.

Fr. _holá_ _hé!_ Ger. _holla!_; _hallo schreien_.

=Yes= (Bowing of the head and body). Hold right hand upright near shoulder, index and thumb only extended, others closed; move it slightly to the left and a foot downward, at the same time closing the index over the thumb. Or simply nod.

Fr. _oui_; Ger. _ja_.

=Yesterday= (Beyond the night). Sign _Night_; then, holding left in position, swing the right upward and to right on a curve, finishing at height of left, palm up, i.e., _Beyond_. Or, sign _Before_ and _Day_. Or, _One_, _Sleep_, _Behind_.

Fr. _hier_; Ger. _gestern_.

=Yonder=, =Over yonder=. Point as in _There_, or with G, then swing the finger up over and down farther ahead. Compare _Far_.

Fr. _là-bas_; Ger. _drüben_, _dort_.

=You= or =Thou=. Singular, point at the person; for plural, point, then add _All_; that is, swing the finger in a horizontal circle (You, all).

Fr. _vous_; Ger. _Sie_.

=Young= (A sprout). Hold the hand as in _Grow_; then lower it emphatically a foot. Sometimes use _Old_ and _Not_.

Fr. _jeune_; Ger. _jung_.

=Younger.= Sign _Born_ and _After_.

Fr. _plus jeune_, _cadet_; Ger. _jünger_.

=Your.= See _Possession_.