Hand gesture

[schlegs]

There is a hand gesture of snapping ones finger to the throat (under side of chin) that signifies having a drink (alcoholic).  I heard it started with one of the Tsar's trying to control alcoholic consumption and any one declared a drunk, would have a tattoo placed under his chin.  Thus when ordering a drink in a bar, the barman would snap his neck to ask the patron if he had a tattoo.

Can anyone confirm or deny this story and which Tsar instituted the tattoo if true?   A web site with details would be great too.

Thanks!

[Boethius]

The gesture is at the side of the throat, not underneath the chin.

The gesture originates from the time of Peter the Great, when the postal service was organized.  When Peter started building towns, and roads, and the fleet, plus fighting in numerous wars, many messengers were required for quick communication.  Postal messengers travelled long distances, almost completely covered in leather, and to avoid being robbed, they didn't carry money.  Because they were covered, the messengers had a stamp, not a tattoo, on the side of their throat.  When on the road, they would point to the stamp at any place they stopped along the road and, by law, they were served immediately (speed was important), and for free, because they were on "Царёво дело", or "Crown business".

[Gtex]

You have actually combined two stories.  The second is this:  alcoholism was a problem even during the time of Peter's
building of St. Petersburg.  An offender would be fitted with an iron collar to restrict the throat and notify others not to give alcohol to the wearer.  Snapping a fingernail to the collar was seen as a request to loosen the restraint for eating and drinking (non-alcoholic). Perhaps apocryphal, still it sounds reasonable.

[Boethius]

I have never read any account of alcohol being restricted by Peter, and I've read a fair number of accounts.  Peter drank and his court drank, and alcohol flowed pretty freely, even among workers. 

Can you provide a citation for your source?  It is not necessary it be online, even a textbook would be fine.

Thank you.

[threeships]

Can  anyone explain this gesture: by placing your thumb between index and middle finger then directing this at someone for whatever reason… I do understand that it may be offensive but what is its connotation?  I have seen this “displayed” by Russians and Ukrainians. 

[Lily]

This 3-fingers-combination gesture means something like 'you won't get what you want'. In Russian it is called 'fIga', or 'kUkish' Like putting a thumb between two fingers and showing this to someone saying 'you can try this instead of what you want'.

Not recommended to use in public, as it is considered generally rude.

[Ludmila]

Rude, and used by, MOSTLY, PEOPLE OF LOW SOCIAL CLASS.

Implies humiliating message towards the interlocutor, or, humiliating assessment of the imaginary person/persons in question.

[SANDRO43]

This 3-fingers-combination gesture means something like 'you won't get what you want'. In Russian it is called 'fIga', or 'kUkish' Like putting a thumb between two fingers and showing this to someone saying 'you can try this instead of what you want'.

I think we discussed this a couple of years ago (http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=7346.msg131238#msg131238).

If it's really called figA and not figO in Russian, then I wonder about its etymology - it's a rude term for vagina in Italian .

[Lily]

If it's really called figA and not figO

Sandro, do you mean the stress? all my life since I was a little kid, people used this word quite often and it used to be exactly fIga, with the stressed "I" and never the last "A". Of course it was never with O on the end

To illustrate a correct stress, I can refer to a famous saying in Russian, often told by adults to the kids who had problems learning. Melodic stress is bolded:

[SmOtrit v knIgu,
VIdit fIgu ]

Translation: he looks in the book, but sees nothing

[SANDRO43]

Sandro, do you mean the stress?

No Lily, I meant the final vowel, it's also stressed fIgo in Brazilian and fIga in Italian.

BTW, while figa is feminine in gender and coarse (Bella figa! is a vulgar compliment to a good-looking female, and will cause a heated row or worse with her partner for a crass show of disrespect), some years ago our female youths started using it in the thitherto non-existent masculine form as a well-meaning compliment: E' un figo=He's a handsome, well-turned out guy .

[Stirlitz]

There is a hand gesture of snapping ones finger to the throat (under side of chin) that signifies having a drink (alcoholic).  I heard it started with one of the Tsar's trying to control alcoholic consumption

I heard a different story (is it the third in this thread?). A man did a great service to the Tzar and the Tzar wanted to thank him but he realized that this man would drink away whatever and how much he is given. So he made a tatoo on his neck and let all bartenders know that they had to offer free drinks to the tatoo holder. Any time this man wanted to drink he would just flick his tatoo. But this is a legend and I do not believe it is true.

Can  anyone explain this gesture: by placing your thumb between index and middle finger then directing this at someone for whatever reason… I do understand that it may be offensive but what is its connotation?  I have seen this “displayed” by Russians and Ukrainians. 

It is similar to the middle finger meaning you are not going to get anything. Quite rude. But can be used by anyone, not just low class people. Used very seldom because it is a strong gesture.

[Aloe]

I dont think figa is rude, its used by children all the time. Never seen an adult use it, but i can imagine it being used in a playful manner. Middle finger is way way way way more offensive.

[Gtex]

Boethius,

Sorry about the delay in reply.  The story I quoted is perhaps apocryphal.  It was told by many residents of St. Petersburg.  There, the story was common.  I saw the same hand motion and was similarly puzzled.  Inquiries (several) resulted in the quoted explanation.  In St. P it was the only explanation I heard and was offered by several people.

[Stirlitz]

Gtex, I am afraid that if this story were true, then all Russians would have to wear a collar