How to Sign "Poop"

the sign poop uses two hands. bring the non-dominant hand up towards the chest and make a fist. with the dominant hand, create a fist with the thumb sticking up, as if youre giving a thumbs up. press the thumb into the hole the pinkie has created on the non-dominant hand. quickly pull the dominant hand out of the non-dominant hand, as if it is falling out. as the hand falls out, release the hands from the fist so they create the shape for the sign 5.

Examples Using "Poop" in a Sentence

1

The dog pooped on the grass.

Sign 'dog', then perform the sign for 'poop' by pulling your dominant hand down from your non-dominant fist, opening it into a '5' shape. Finish by signing 'grass'.

2

Do you need to poop?

Point to the person, sign 'need', then sign 'poop' while raising your eyebrows and leaning forward slightly to indicate a yes/no question.

3

I stepped in poop!

Point to yourself, sign 'step', and then sign 'poop' with a disgusted facial expression to match the unpleasant context of the sentence.

How to Sign "Poop"
the sign poop uses two hands. bring the non-dominant hand up towards the chest and make a fist. with the dominant hand, create a fist with the thumb sticking up, as if youre giving a thumbs up. press the thumb into the hole the pinkie has created on the non-dominant hand. quickly pull the dominant hand out of the non-dominant hand, as if it is falling out. as the hand falls out, release the hands from the fist so they create the shape for the sign 5.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually represents the physical act of defecation. The non-dominant fist represents the body, while the dominant thumb pulling downward and opening into a '5' handshape mimics the waste falling out and dropping.
Signing Tips
To make the sign for 'poop' clear, ensure your non-dominant fist stays completely still while your dominant hand does the moving. The downward motion should be relatively quick to mimic something dropping. Adding an appropriate facial expression—like a slight grimace if you are talking about a mess—adds great context to your signing.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving both hands during the sign. Remember that the non-dominant hand acts as a stationary base, while only the dominant hand moves downward. Another frequent error is forgetting to open the dominant hand into a '5' shape as it drops; keeping it in a thumbs-up shape the whole time looks unnatural.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Poop" in a Sentence
1

The dog pooped on the grass.

Sign 'dog', then perform the sign for 'poop' by pulling your dominant hand down from your non-dominant fist, opening it into a '5' shape. Finish by signing 'grass'.

2

Do you need to poop?

Point to the person, sign 'need', then sign 'poop' while raising your eyebrows and leaning forward slightly to indicate a yes/no question.

3

I stepped in poop!

Point to yourself, sign 'step', and then sign 'poop' with a disgusted facial expression to match the unpleasant context of the sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign considered a bad word or inappropriate?

No, this is the standard, clinical ASL sign for a bowel movement or poop. It is commonly used by parents, doctors, and everyday signers. Context and facial expressions dictate whether it is being used casually, medically, or humorously.

Do I have to open my hand at the end of the sign?

Yes, opening your dominant hand into a '5' shape as it falls away from the non-dominant fist is a key part of this specific sign. It visually completes the action of the waste dropping.

Can I use this sign to mean 'nonsense' or 'bullcrap'?

Typically, no. This sign literally refers to feces or a physical bowel movement. If you want to express that something is nonsense, a lie, or 'bull', ASL has different, specific idioms and signs for those concepts.

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