To sign *roach*, cross your wrists in front of your chest with your palms facing inward. Form both hands into '3' handshapes, extending your thumbs, index fingers, and middle fingers while keeping your ring and pinky fingers curled. Wiggle your extended index and middle fingers up and down a few times to mimic the scurrying legs or antennae of a roach.
Sign 'roach' by crossing your wrists and wiggling your index and middle fingers, then use an exaggerated facial expression to show how big it was.
Sign 'roach' followed by a spraying motion with your dominant hand to indicate getting rid of the pests.
Sign 'roach' with crossed wrists and wiggling fingers, then sign 'afraid' while raising your eyebrows to ask a yes/no question.
Sign 'roach' by crossing your wrists and wiggling your index and middle fingers, then use an exaggerated facial expression to show how big it was.
Sign 'roach' followed by a spraying motion with your dominant hand to indicate getting rid of the pests.
Sign 'roach' with crossed wrists and wiggling fingers, then sign 'afraid' while raising your eyebrows to ask a yes/no question.
They are similar but distinct! For "roach," you only extend and wiggle your index and middle fingers (using a '3' handshape). For "spider," you typically extend and wiggle all of your fingers while your wrists are crossed.
Yes! Another common variation for "roach" or "cockroach" uses a single '3' handshape placed on the nose or forehead, with the index and middle fingers wiggling. The crossed-wrist version shown here is also widely understood.
No, it doesn't matter which wrist is crossed on top or closer to your body. Just use whichever feels most comfortable and natural for you, though most signers place their dominant hand closer to their chest.
