How to Sign "Crap"

To sign *crap*, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing down. Place your open dominant hand near the wrist of your non-dominant arm, with the palm facing sideways and fingers pointing up. Move your dominant hand forward, sliding it past your non-dominant hand, while closing it into a fist.

Examples Using "Crap" in a Sentence

1

Oh crap, I forgot my keys!

Sign 'crap' with a frustrated facial expression, then sign 'forget' and 'keys' to show you just realized your mistake.

2

That movie was complete crap.

Sign 'movie' and then use the sign for 'crap' to emphasize your negative opinion of the film.

3

Don't give me that crap.

Sign 'crap' with a stern look to show you aren't falling for someone's excuses or nonsense.

How to Sign "Crap"
To sign *crap*, hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing down. Place your open dominant hand near the wrist of your non-dominant arm, with the palm facing sideways and fingers pointing up. Move your dominant hand forward, sliding it past your non-dominant hand, while closing it into a fist.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign visually suggests grabbing or pulling something away from the non-dominant arm. It is closely related to the ASL sign for 'bullshit,' where the dominant hand represents the 'manure' being pulled or dropped, conveying the idea of nonsense or something of poor quality.
Signing Tips
Facial expressions are essential for this sign. Since 'crap' is usually an exclamation of frustration or a description of something bad, make sure your face matches the negative emotion. Keep the forward movement of your dominant hand sharp and deliberate to emphasize your point.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving both hands during the sign. Remember to keep your non-dominant hand completely still as a base while only your dominant hand moves forward and closes into a fist.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Crap" in a Sentence
1

Oh crap, I forgot my keys!

Sign 'crap' with a frustrated facial expression, then sign 'forget' and 'keys' to show you just realized your mistake.

2

That movie was complete crap.

Sign 'movie' and then use the sign for 'crap' to emphasize your negative opinion of the film.

3

Don't give me that crap.

Sign 'crap' with a stern look to show you aren't falling for someone's excuses or nonsense.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign considered a swear word in ASL?

It is considered mild slang or a mild swear word, similar to how 'crap' is used in spoken English. It is best to avoid using it in formal, professional, or polite settings.

Can I use this sign to mean literal garbage?

No, this sign is used for the slang meaning of 'crap' (like nonsense, a mistake, or something of poor quality). For literal trash, you would use the specific ASL sign for 'garbage'.

Does it matter which hand I use as the base?

Yes, you should always use your non-dominant hand as the stationary base. Your dominant hand should be the one that moves forward and closes into a fist.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!