Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Liquor"

To sign 'liquor' (also commonly used for 'whiskey'), form both hands into the 'ILY' handshape by extending your index fingers, pinky fingers, and thumbs while keeping your middle and ring fingers curled. Hold your non-dominant hand in front of your chest with the palm facing up, and position your dominant hand slightly above it with the palm facing down. Bring your dominant hand down to tap its extended index and pinky fingers against the corresponding fingers of your non-dominant hand twice.

Examples Using "Liquor" in a Sentence

1

I bought some liquor for the party.

Sign 'liquor' by tapping your stacked 'ILY' hands together twice, then sign 'buy' and 'party'. This is a straightforward declarative sentence, so keep your facial expression neutral and relaxed.

2

Do you drink liquor?

Raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'you', 'drink' (miming holding a cup to your mouth), and finish with the sign for 'liquor'.

3

The liquor store is closed.

First, sign 'liquor' using the double-tapping 'ILY' hands, followed by 'store'. Then, sign 'close' with a definitive, firm movement to clearly convey that the shop is no longer open.

How to Sign "Liquor"
To sign 'liquor' (also commonly used for 'whiskey'), form both hands into the 'ILY' handshape by extending your index fingers, pinky fingers, and thumbs while keeping your middle and ring fingers curled. Hold your non-dominant hand in front of your chest with the palm facing up, and position your dominant hand slightly above it with the palm facing down. Bring your dominant hand down to tap its extended index and pinky fingers against the corresponding fingers of your non-dominant hand twice.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The stacked 'ILY' hands tapping together are thought to visually represent the traditional method of measuring 'two fingers' of hard liquor in a glass, indicating a specific poured serving.
Signing Tips
Keep your middle and ring fingers tightly curled so that only your index and pinky fingers make contact when you tap your hands together. Ensure your dominant hand does the moving while your non-dominant hand stays relatively still as a base.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake is using the 'Y' handshape (only the thumb and pinky extended) instead of the 'ILY' handshape. Make sure your index fingers are also clearly extended before tapping your hands together.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Liquor" in a Sentence
1

I bought some liquor for the party.

Sign 'liquor' by tapping your stacked 'ILY' hands together twice, then sign 'buy' and 'party'. This is a straightforward declarative sentence, so keep your facial expression neutral and relaxed.

2

Do you drink liquor?

Raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'you', 'drink' (miming holding a cup to your mouth), and finish with the sign for 'liquor'.

3

The liquor store is closed.

First, sign 'liquor' using the double-tapping 'ILY' hands, followed by 'store'. Then, sign 'close' with a definitive, firm movement to clearly convey that the shop is no longer open.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'liquor' the same as 'alcohol'?

While 'liquor' (using the tapping 'ILY' hands) refers specifically to hard spirits, the general sign for 'alcohol' can sometimes vary depending on the context. However, this sign is widely understood and often used interchangeably for both 'liquor' and 'alcohol' in casual conversation.

Can this sign be used to mean 'whiskey'?

Yes! This specific sign is widely used to mean 'whiskey' as well as 'liquor' or hard spirits in general. The context of your sentence will help clarify exactly what you are referring to.

Does it matter which hand is on top?

Yes, typically your dominant hand should be the one on top doing the active tapping movement. Your non-dominant hand should remain stationary on the bottom to act as the base.

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