Form a 'Y' handshape with your dominant hand by extending your thumb and pinky finger while keeping your middle, ring, and index fingers curled. Bring your thumb up near your forehead or temple. Twist your hand back and forth a couple of times at the wrist.
Sign 'foolish' by twisting the 'Y' handshape at your forehead, then sign 'mistake' by tapping a 'Y' handshape against your chin.
Shake your head and sign 'don't', followed by the sign for 'foolish' at your temple, maintaining a serious or concerned facial expression.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'feel' by brushing your middle finger up your chest, sign 'foolish' with the twisting 'Y' handshape, and then sign 'trip'.
Sign 'foolish' by twisting the 'Y' handshape at your forehead, then sign 'mistake' by tapping a 'Y' handshape against your chin.
Shake your head and sign 'don't', followed by the sign for 'foolish' at your temple, maintaining a serious or concerned facial expression.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'feel' by brushing your middle finger up your chest, sign 'foolish' with the twisting 'Y' handshape, and then sign 'trip'.
While both signs use the 'Y' handshape, 'silly' is typically signed by brushing the thumb against the nose. 'Foolish' is signed higher up, with the thumb placed near the forehead or temple to indicate a lack of good judgment in thought.
You don't necessarily have to make physical contact with your forehead. Keeping the thumb just an inch or two away from your temple or forehead while twisting your wrist is perfectly acceptable and very common in everyday signing.
Yes! Depending on your facial expression and the intensity of the twisting motion, this sign can be translated as 'foolish,' 'ridiculous,' or 'absurd.' A more exaggerated facial expression and a sharper twist emphasizes just how ridiculous something is.
