How to Sign "Nappy"

To sign 'nappy' (also known as diaper), place both hands near your lower waist or hips. Extend your index and middle fingers together on both hands, keeping your thumbs extended as well. Tap your index and middle fingers against your thumbs a couple of times, mimicking the action of fastening safety pins on a cloth nappy.

Examples Using "Nappy" in a Sentence

1

The baby needs a clean nappy.

Sign 'baby', 'need', 'clean', and then sign 'nappy' by tapping your fingers and thumbs together at your waist.

2

Did you pack the nappies in the bag?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'pack', 'nappy', and 'bag', raising your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

3

We ran out of nappies!

Sign 'we', 'run out' (using the sign for empty or none), and finish with the sign for 'nappy' at your hips with an expressive, frustrated face.

How to Sign "Nappy"
To sign 'nappy' (also known as diaper), place both hands near your lower waist or hips. Extend your index and middle fingers together on both hands, keeping your thumbs extended as well. Tap your index and middle fingers against your thumbs a couple of times, mimicking the action of fastening safety pins on a cloth nappy.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and originates from the traditional method of securing a cloth nappy. The placement at the hips and the pinching motion of the fingers and thumbs represent fastening safety pins on either side of a baby's waist.
Signing Tips
Make sure to place your hands at the correct location near your lower waist or hips, not up by your chest. The tapping motion should be small and controlled, using just your fingers and thumbs while your wrists remain relatively still. Think of the old-fashioned way of pinning a cloth nappy to help you remember the movement.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is making the tapping motion too large or using the whole arm instead of just the fingers and thumb. Beginners also sometimes place their hands too high up on the torso; remember that nappies go on the lower half of the body, so keep your hands down near your hips.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Nappy" in a Sentence
1

The baby needs a clean nappy.

Sign 'baby', 'need', 'clean', and then sign 'nappy' by tapping your fingers and thumbs together at your waist.

2

Did you pack the nappies in the bag?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'pack', 'nappy', and 'bag', raising your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

3

We ran out of nappies!

Sign 'we', 'run out' (using the sign for empty or none), and finish with the sign for 'nappy' at your hips with an expressive, frustrated face.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'nappy' the same as 'diaper' in ASL?

Yes! Since ASL is a conceptual language, it uses the same sign for both words because they mean the exact same thing. You will use the same hip-tapping motion regardless of which English word you prefer.

Do I have to use both hands for this sign?

Yes, 'nappy' is a two-handed sign. Using both hands is important because it visually represents fastening both sides of the nappy at the hips.

Does it matter how many times I tap my fingers?

Usually, a quick double tap is standard for this noun. Tapping twice clearly establishes the word 'nappy' without dragging out the motion.

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