[Illustration]
=Idea=, =Thought= (Thought expressed). Lay the right G on the forehead,
pointing up, palm to left; swing it down to horizontal at mouth level,
then push it straight forward and up in a curve. Compare _So_.
Fr. _l’idée_; _la pensée_; Ger. _die Idee_, _der Gedanke_.
=Idle.= Sign _Work_ and _Not_.
Fr. _paresseux_; Ger. _müszig_.
[Illustration]
=If=, =Doubt=, =Undecided=, =Perhaps=, or =Maybe so= (Heart looking two
ways). Lay the right V hand on the heart, pointed down and to left
front; rotate the hand on the wrist so the back is alternately up and
out. When many emotions (i.e., _perplexity_) are to be expressed, use
all fingers extended. See _Consider_.
Fr. _si_, _peut-être_; Ger. _wenn_, _ob_, _vielleicht_.
=Ignorance= (I don’t know). Shrug shoulders and raise one flat hand.
(Pop.) Or, sign _Know_, _Not_. Compare _Forget_.
Fr. _l’ignorance_; Ger. _die Unwissenheit_.
=Imperative Mood.= Sign the verb in question, then strike the flat
right, palm down, onto the flat left, palm up. Or add _Push_. (C)
=Impossible.= Sign _Can_ and _Not_. See also _Cannot_. The Cheyennes use
_True_, _Not_.
Fr. _impossible_; Ger. _unmöglich_.
=Imprison.= See _Arrest_.
[Illustration]
=In=, =Inside=, or =Within= (To put into). Make a semicircle of the left
arm held out level; then drop the compressed right hand downward between
the left and the body. _Outside_ begins the same, but the right drops
outside the left.
[Illustration]
=Inside=, i.e., =in a Hole=. Make a horizontal ring of the left index
and thumb, then drop the right index down into it. For a house, use
_Enter_.
Fr. _en_, _dedans_, _dans_; Ger. _in_, _drin_, _im Innern_.
=Incite.= Sign _Push_, _Talk_, and _Go_; that is, try to talk into
going.
Fr. _inciter_; Ger. _anreizen_.
=Increase.= Hold out the flat hands, palm to palm, well apart at same
height; separate them more and more in slight jerks; or, if it is more
explicit, do it with the flat hands one above the other. See _Add to_.
Compare _Decrease_.
Fr. _augmenter_; Ger. _vermehren_, _vergröszern_.
[Illustration]
=Indian.= With the tips of right flat fingers, rub the side of the flat
left held out back up, in short strokes; meaning reddish, because all
men’s hands out west are red at this place. Compare _Smooth_.
[Illustration]
=Indian.= Indicate the eagle feather at back of head. (Sheeaka.) Or sign
_Man_ and _Red_. (Scott.)
Fr. _l’Indien_; Ger. _der Indianer_.
=Indian Tribe= or =Nation=. Give the _Tribal_ sign and add _All_ in each
case.
=Indian= Tribal signs:
[Illustration]
=Apache.= (Probably using the notched-stick fiddle). Draw the right G
finger _up and down_ along the left G several times, from near the
point to the base, a foot long each stroke. Compare _Poor_.
=Arapahoe.= With all fingers of right hand compressed so the points
are together, tap the left breast, that is, sign _Mother_. As Sherman
Coolidge tells me, the Arapahoes claim theirs to have been the mother
of all tribes. In the south, the sign is rub the side of the nose with
the right G, referring to their one-time salutation of nose-rubbing.
=Banak.= Sign for _Lodge_ and _Bad_. (C)
=Blackfeet.= Sign for _Moccasin_ and _Black_.
=Caddo.= Draw the right N over the left N from the tips back to the
knuckles (because they wore pants). (Father Isadore.)
[Illustration]
=Cheyennes.= (Perhaps meaning “striped tail,” because they used turkey
feathers; or, more likely, “finger-choppers,” because they chopped
their fingers when in mourning.) Hold out left G finger and cut it
with the edge of the right G finger drawn across it once or twice,
each time further up the hand. Compare _Often_ and _And all the time_.
=Chippewa.= See _Ojibwa_.
=Comanche.= Sign for _Snake_, pushing the hand forward. Compare
_Shoshoni_. (Seger.)
=Cree.= Sign _Rabbit_, _People_; but usually omit _People_.
=Crow.= Sign _Bird_ slowly. Sometimes only one hand. Or hold S hand,
palm forward, at brow for “Pompadour Indians.”
=Dakota.= See _Sioux_.
=Flathead.= See _Koutenais_.
=Gros Ventre.= Sign _Big Belly_.
=Hopi.= Sign _Dance_ and _Snake_.
=Kiowa.= With the tips of the flat right, palm up, back to left,
describe an upright ellipse near the right ear; because they used to
cut their hair on that side to show the ear ornaments or ear painted
red.
=Koutenai.= Sign for _White-tailed Deer_. (C)
=Mandan= (Tattooed chin and cheek). With right hand compressed so all
tips touch, tap the chin and jaw. (C)
=Navaho= (Makers of striped blankets). Sign for _Work_, _Blanket_, and
_Striped_.
=Nez Percé= (Pierced nose). Pass index of right G hand level under
nose from right to left. Compare _Hear_.
=Ojibwa= or =Chippewa= (Living in the Woods). Sign _Tree_ and
_People_; or sign _Paddle_, _People_. (Blackfoot.)
=Osage= (Shaved heads). Rub the flat right hand, palm out, over the
side of the head and down, as though shaving the head; the little
finger being the sharp edge.
=Paiute.= Sign _Rabbit_, _Robe_.
=Pawnee= (Wolf). Hold up the right V hand, palm forward, near right
ear; then swing finger-tips forward.
=Piegan.= Rotate half closed hand, palm in, near right cheek.
=Pueblo.= Sign _Two Quivers_; that is, _Arrow_, _Two_; then drop
compressed left once or twice into C right hand.
=Sac= (Shaved heads). Same as _Osage_ sign.
=Shoshoni= or =Snake Indians=. Sign for _Snake_ and sometimes add
_Bad_, _Lodge_.
=Sioux= (Cut throats). Draw the right G finger across the throat.
=Uncapapa= (From their position in camp). Sign for _Sioux_ and
_Encamp_, then make an incomplete circle with index fingers and
thumbs; then, holding left in pose, strike last joint of index with
tip of right G and similarly right index with tip of left G. (C)
=Ute.= Sign _Black_ and _Red_.
=Wichita= (Tattooed rings). With right G finger tap the forehead in a
circle.
=Yankton.= Sign for _Sioux_ and _Nez Percé_. (C)
=Indian Agent.= See _Agent_.
=Indifference= (_None of my business_). Both hands held down by the
thighs; at the same time a shrug of the shoulders. (Pop.)
Fr. _l’indifférence_; Ger. _die Gleichgültigkeit_.
=Infantry.= Sign _Soldiers_ and _Walk_.
Fr. _l’infanterie_; Ger. _die Fusztruppen_, _die Infanterie_.
[Illustration]
=Inferior= (To one). Hold up both G fingers, the one representing the
inferior much lower.
[Illustration]
=Inferior= (To many). For several inferiors use the 5 hand to represent
them, while the G of the other hand up high represents the superior.
Fr. _inférieur_; Ger. _untergeordnet_.
=Inhabit.= See _Dwell_.
=Injure=, =Doing evil to=. If with reference to another person, make
sign for _Work_ and _Bad_. If with reference to one’s self, make signs
_Do_, _to me_, _Bad_.
Fr. _faire du mal_; Ger. _beschädigen_.
=Innocent.= See _Clean-handed_.
=In order that.= See _So that_.
=Inside.= See _In_.
=Interrogate.= See _Question_ or _Query_.
=Intervene.= See _Come between_.
=Invalid.= See _Sick one_.
=Investigating.= See _Searching_; also _Consider_.
=Iron.= See _Metal_.
[Illustration]
=Island= (Round thing surrounded by water). Sign _Land_, then with L
hands make a horizontal circle; hold left hand in pose, sign _Water_
with right hand; then compress it and draw it point down around the
circle just made. Compare _Lake_.
Fr. _l’île_; Ger. _die Insel_.
=Itching.= Scratch the left palm with nail of the right G index; or else
the thigh.
Fr. _la démangeaison_; Ger. _das Jucken_.
J
[Illustration]
=Jealous= (Elbowing aside). Hold the fists near the breast; alternately
swing each elbow out and back a little. (C)
[Illustration]
=Jealous= (Hide and stab). Hold out flat left, back up, and with right G
stab under it once or twice.
Fr. _jaloux_; Ger. _eifersüchtig_.
[Illustration]
=Jesus= (The Cross above). The right G finger upright and crossed on top
with the left G; this cross then placed above the eyes, the face looking
upward; then the cross pushed toward the sky to the full extent of the
arms. The real meaning being, “He who was crucified and is now in
heaven.” (Scott.) Or sign _Big_, _Medicine_, _Child_.
Fr. _Jésus_; Ger. _Jesus_.
[Illustration]
=Joke= (Play talk). Sign _Play_; that is, hold the right 5 hand near the
mouth, back down, fingers a little curved; swing the hand forward and
upward; then add _Talk_.
Fr. _la plaisanterie_; Ger. _der Scherz_.
=Joyous.= Sign _Heart_, _Glad_, and _Sing_. (C) Sign _Heart_, _Happy_,
or _Playing_.
Fr. _joyeux_; Ger. _fröhlich_.
=Judge.= See _Consider_.
=Jump= (Human). Stand right V on left palm; assume these to be legs and
make them jump up and down. (Sheeaka.)
[Illustration]
=Jump= or =Spring= (Anything). Hold compressed right hand, pointing to
left, near right shoulder; swing it up forward and down in a long curve.
Also used for _Animal_, in which case use several short jumps.
Fr. _sauter_; Ger. _springen_.
=Junior.= See _Younger_; also _Inferior_.
=Just= or =Fair=. From a position near each side, bring the extended O
hands, palms inward, together so the tips of right thumb and index touch
tips of left thumb and index, like two balance pans side by side. (D)
Or, sign _True_ and _Same_, or _Good_.
Fr. _juste_; Ger. _gerecht_.
=Just so.= Make the sign _Yes_ once or twice; or else, use _True_.
Fr. _justement_, _précisément cela_; Ger. _genau so_, _ganz richtig_.
K
[Illustration]
=Keep=, =Grasp=, or =Remember=. Hold out flat right hand, back to right,
fingers level; hold up left G hand, back to left; swing them together;
grasp left index in closed right hand and move the hands slightly to
right and left. Compare _Hold_ and _Remember_.
Fr. _tenir_, _retenir_; Ger. _halten_, _behalten_.
=Keep close.= Sign _Good_ and _Near_. (C)
=Keep quiet.= Sign _Stop_ and _Sit down_, or simply _Stop_. See _Hush_.
Fr. _taisez vous_, _tenez vous tranquille!_ Ger. _ruhig sein!_
_schweigen!_
[Illustration]
=Kettle.= Indicate the shape of the mouth with both L hands; then,
holding left unchanged, pass the right G into it; then, with right, lift
as if by a handle. Some omit the “handle.” Compare _Basket_ and _Cook_.
Fr. _le chaudron_, _la chaudière_; Ger. _der Kessel_.
=Kidney.= Hold up the two compressed hands, then swing them back against
the kidneys.
Fr. _le rein_, (_d’animal_) _le rognon_; Ger. _die Niere_.
[Illustration]
=Kill=, =Overcome=, =Win=, or =Be victor= (Striking with a club). Hold
the right A hand, back nearly up, in front of shoulder, back of hand
making a slight angle with wrist; strike to the front, downward and
little to left, stopping hand suddenly and giving it slight rebound.
For _Kill me_ or _Beat me_, make the sign toward one’s self.
Fr. _tuer_, _vaincre_; Ger. _tot schlagen_, _siegen_.
=Kin=, =Kinsman=, or =Kinship=. Sign _Brother_ and _Distant_ or _Near_,
as the case may be.
Fr. _le parent_; Ger. _der Verwandte_.
=Kind= or =Gentle=. Sign _Heart_ and _Good_.
Fr. _aimable_; Ger. _freundlich_, _sanft_.
=King’s X.= See _Fins_.
[Illustration]
=Knife= (Penknife or Jack-knife). (Whittling a stick.) With right A hand
make motion of whittling the index finger of the left G hand. (Blackfoot
and Pop.) The Cheyennes sign _Cut_ and _Bend_.
Fr. _le canif_, _le couteau_; Ger. _das Messer_, _das Taschenmesser_.
=Knife= or =Dagger=. Thumb up straight, rest of fingers closed, hand at
side. (Pop.) Compare _He_, _Turn down_, and _Opossum_.
=Knife.= Hold left hand near mouth, then with lower edge of flat right
make as though cutting off a piece of meat held between the left hand
and the teeth. Understood but not used by Cheyennes. They indicate
length with right G on flat left back and add _Cut_.
Fr. _le couteau_, _le poignard_; Ger. _das Messer_, _der Dolch_.
=Know= or =Be acquainted with=. Sign _Know_, as below.
Fr. _connaître_; Ger. _kennen_.
[Illustration]
=Know= or =Understand= (See, it is in my heart). Lay the right L hand,
back up, on heart; swing it out, up in a slight curve, and down a
little, palm up.
Fr. _comprendre_, _savoir_; Ger. _wissen_, _verstehen_.
=Know, I don’t.= Shrug the shoulders and shake the head and raise the
right hand open, palm up, to level of shoulder, inclining the head to
the side. (Pop.) Compare _Don’t care_.
=Know=, =I know what I’m doing= (Perhaps “I smell a rat” is the verbal
form of the sign). Lay the right index on right side of nose. (Pop.)
Fr. _je ne suis pas aveugle_; Ger. _ich weiss was ich mache_.
=Knowledge= or =Intelligence=. Tap the forehead and add _Big_. Compare
_Conceit_.
Fr. _le savoir_, _l’intelligence_; Ger. _die Kenntnis_, _das Wissen_.
L
=Labor.= See _Work_.
[Illustration]
=Lake.= Sign _Water_ and with both L hands make an incomplete horizontal
circle, then bring wrists together and swing finger tips apart. The last
gesture is to suggest _Wide_. Compare _Island_.
Fr. _le lac_; Ger. _der See_.
[Illustration]
=Lame= (Bobbing of horse’s head). Right A hand out in front, _back up_,
moved forward a little and at the same time jerked down by wrist action
and to left; repeat. Compare _Old_ and _Kill_.
Fr. _boiteux_; Ger. _lahm_.
[Illustration]
=Land=, =Country=, =Ground=, or =Earth= (Flat and extended). Pat toward
ground with one or both flat hands; then swing them apart, flat, palms
down, on a broad upward sweep left and right.
Fr. _la campagne_, _la terre_; Ger. _das Land_, _die Erde_.
=Lantern.= Sign _Enclosure_, but make it perpendicular; then in the same
space sign _Fire_ twice.
Fr. _la lanterne_; Ger. _die Laterne_.
=Large.= See _Big_ and _High_.
=Lasso.= Sign _Rope_, then hold right L hand over right shoulder, back
nearly to right, index pointing up; throw it forward, upward, and down,
close index and thumb and jerk the hand back. Often omit _Rope_.
Fr. _le lasso_; Ger. _die Wurfschlinge_.
[Illustration]
=Last.= Hold up the left 5 hand, thumb nearest you; push it straight
away, then tap the thumb with the G of the other hand. (Sheeaka.)
=Last= (One, After). Hold up 5 left hand and, away behind it, the G
right. (Blackfoot.) Compare _First_ and _Guide_.
Fr. _le dernier_; Ger. _der Letzte_.
=Last year.= Sign _Winter_, _Beyond_.
Fr. _l’année passée_; Ger. _voriges Jahr_.
=Late.= See _After_.
=Laugh.= Hold both curved 5 hands, palms up, near the sides, a foot
apart; then shake them up and down. Compare _Play_.
Fr. _rire_; Ger. _lachen_.
=Law= (Written road). Sign _Write_, then _Across_ two or three times.
Compare _Council_ (No. 2.)
Fr. _la loi_; Ger. _das Gesetz_.
=Lawyer.= _Whiteman_, _Law_, and _Know_.
Fr. _l’avocat_; Ger. _der Advokat_.
[Illustration]
=Lazy= or =Tired=. Shake the head, throw it back, then drop both nearly
open, hands limply, one held out at each side motionless. Compare _Weak_
and _Tired_.
Fr. _paresseux_, _fatigué_; Ger. _faul_, _träge_, _müde_.
[Illustration]
=Lead.= With right hand fingers grasp the flat left hand and drag it
forward. (Sheeaka; borrowed from the Deaf.) Sometimes used also for
_Teacher_.
=Lead.= Hold right A hand high in front of right shoulder, back to
right; move it forward by gentle jerks, as though leading a pony. See
_Guide_.
Fr. _conduire_; Ger. _führen_.
[Illustration]
=Leaf.= Sign _Tree_, then shake right hand shoulder high, with thumb and
index pointed nearly up, forming an incomplete circle, others closed.
Compare _Money_ and _Fruit_.
Fr. _la feuille_; Ger. _das Blatt_.
=Learn.= Sign _Book_, then follow the lines with the right G finger and
last draw it to _Me_. Or sign _Book_, _Look_, _Know_, making the last
sign once or twice toward the _Book_. See _Lesson_.
Fr. _apprendre_; Ger. _lernen_.
=Leggings.= Draw the L hands, backs out, one on each leg from well down
to near hips.
Fr. _les grandes guêtres_; Ger. _die ledernen Gamaschen_.
=Lend=, =Loan=, or =Borrow=. Sign _Give you_ (or me) and _By and By_,
_Give me_ (or you). Or, _Give_, _Little while_.
Fr. _prêter_, _emprunter_; Ger. _leihen_, _borgen_.
[Illustration]
=Less= (Compressed). Hold the open flat hands a foot or two apart, palm
to palm, one above the other. Hold the lower hand stationary and then
draw the upper in jerks down toward the lower. See _Decrease_.
Fr. _moins_; Ger. _weniger_.
=Let it alone.= See _Abandon_.
=Letter= (Sticking on the stamp). Indicate size of letter, then close
right hand, thumb extended; wet thumb end on lips and press on open left
palm.
Fr. _la lettre_; Ger. _der Brief_.
=Level=, =All right=. See _Good_, also _Prairie_.
=Liar.= Make sign for _Lie_; then indicate the person. To add the
intensive _Very much_ makes it equivalent to the strong and unprintable
English expression that is used in extreme cases.
Fr. _le menteur_; Ger. _der Lügner_.
=Liberal.= See _Generous_.
=Liberate.= Sign _Prisoner_, throw the hands up and apart, then add
_Go_. (C) See _Pardon_.
Fr. _délivrer_; Ger. _befreien_.
[Illustration]
=Lie= or =False= (Two tongues or forked tongue). Hold the right V hand,
back out, a little in front and to the right of mouth, and pointing to
left; move the hand to left, past mouth, and downward.
Fr. _le mensonge_; Ger. _die Lüge_.
=Life.= See _Alive_.
=Light= (Not dark). See _Day_.
=Light= (Not heavy). Hold out both flat hands, palms up; raise briskly
together in one or two jerks. Compare _Heavy_, which is the same in
pose, but in which the hands drop briskly. See _Hurry_, which is similar
but much faster and raised each time in one movement.
Fr. _léger_; Ger. _leicht_.
[Illustration]
=Lightning= or =Thunderbolt=. With right G index held high, make a quick
zigzag downward.
Fr. _l’éclair_; Ger. _der Blitz_.
=Like= (To be partial to). Sign _Want_.
=Like= or =Alike=. See _Equal_.
=Listen, I will not.= Cover both ears with the hands and shake head.
(Pop. and Blackfoot.)
Fr. _je n’écouterai pas_; Ger. _ich will nicht zuhören_.
=Listen.= Hold right L hand back to right near and around right ear;
rotate the hand by wrist action (Cheyenne). Or hold hollowed right hand
behind the right ear. (Popular sign understood by Cheyennes.) Compare
_Hear_.
Fr. _écouter_; Ger. _horchen_.
[Illustration]
=Little of=, =Small=, =Piece of=, =Part=. Hold right hand in front of
body, shoulder high, back to right, end of thumb pressing against under
side of index so that only about half an inch of index is seen beyond
the thumb, other fingers closed. For emphasis, point at right with left
G.
=Little= or =Small of Stature=. For small animal, person, etc., indicate
the stature by holding out flat right, palm down, above the ground or
above the flat left, palm up. See _Boy_.
[Illustration]
=Little= or =Small degree or matter=, =Weak=. Hold the right fist above
the left as though both were grasping a thin stick, backs out. Twist the
right hand and draw it in a little to the breast, turning it so the palm
is a little upward instead of a little downward. Compare _Few_. Note
_Strong_ is its analogue.
Fr. _petit_, _peu_; Ger. _klein_, _wenig_.
=Live.= See _Alive_.
=Live in.= See _Dwell_.
=Liver.= Compress the right hand, bend it much at the wrist, hold it so
the back is forward and down, fingers level and pointing back; lay it on
the right side under the ribs, draw it to the middle of the body
following under side of ribs.
Fr. _le foie_; Ger. _die Leber_.
[Illustration]
=Lock.= Against flat left palm turn thumb and index of right as a key.
Fr. _fermer à clef_, _la serrure_; Ger. _schlieszen_, _das Schlosz_.
[Illustration]
=Long.= Fully extend the left arm forward and downward, hand flat, palm
down; lay right G finger on the left wrist; then draw it up to the
shoulder. Often use _Big_.
Fr. _long_; Ger. _lang_.
=Longing.= Sign _Heart_ and _Want_; or _Heart_, _Want_, and _See_.
Fr. _le désir ardent_; Ger. _das Verlangen_.
[Illustration]
=Long time= (Drawn out). Slowly draw the hands very far apart as though
pulling out a piece of gum or elastic. See _Time_.
Fr. _longtemps_; Ger. _lange_.
[Illustration]
=Look.= Make V hand and point with fingers in line of sight. Compare
_Hunting_ and _See_.
Fr. _regarder_; Ger. _ansehen_, _hinsehen_.
=Look at that.= Point with forefinger at object and add _See_. Compare
_There_.
Fr. _regardez cela_, _voyez_; Ger. _sehen Sie das an_.
=Look out.= See _Warning_.
=Loose= or =Set Free=. See _Liberate_.
[Illustration]
=Lose=, =Lost=, or =Astray= (Hid, find, and not; apparently referring to
the game of hide in the hand). Hold out both fists together, palms up,
for _Hid_; then look about and point with right G hand behind here and
there and to one side; add _Not_. (Sheeaka.)
[Illustration]
=Lose.= The Cheyennes use _Hide_, which see. Compare _Night_.
=Lost=, =I am lost=. Sign _Look_, _Way_, _See_, _Not_. (Blackfoot.)
Fr. _perdre_, _perdu_; Ger. _verlieren_, _verloren_.
=Love.= See _Fond_.
[Illustration]
=Low.= Hold flat right hand low, back up.
Fr. _bas_; Ger. _niedrig_.
[Illustration]
=Luck=, =Happen=, =Chance=, or =Accident= (What turns up). Extend both G
hands in front, palm side up; turn them in toward each other till the
backs are up; forefingers still extended. Then add _Good_ or _Bad_. (D)
This suggests the gambling sticks in the Indian game. See _Of_.
=Luck= (Whatever befalls me). Sign _Medicine_, or shake the head and the
flat hand in front of the neck, then swing right G in a curve till it
strikes the breast. (Sheeaka. A doubtful Sioux sign.)
Fr. _la chance_, _l’accident_; Ger. _der Zufall_.
[Illustration]
=Lump= (Apparently “hill” that can be held in the hand). Hold up the
right A hand, waist high, palm to you, thumb pointing up, wrist bent so
arm is nearly level. Compare _Hill_.
Fr. _la petite masse_; Ger. _der Klumpen_, _die kleine Masse_.
=Lunch= or =Luncheon=. Sign _Noon_ and _Eat_.
Fr. _le déjeuner_; Ger. _das Mittagessen_.
=Lungs.= Hold the 5 hands on the breast, one at each side, and indicate
slow heaving. Compare _Sick_.
Fr. _les poumons_; Ger. _die Lungen_.
[Illustration]
=Lynx.= With the C hand at each side of the face indicate ruffs; with
rings of index fingers and thumbs, show the eyes; then on the G right
with the G left show the bob tail. (Sheeaka.) This is a description
rather than a name.
Fr. _le lynx_; Ger. _der Luchs_.
=Lynx=, =Bay=, or =Bob-cat.= Sign _Cat_ and _Short tail_. (Scott.) The
Cheyennes, who do not know the true Lynx, sign _Animal_ and _Short
tail_.
Fr. _le lynx rouge_; Ger. _der Rotluchs_, _die amerikanische
Wildkatze_.
M
=Mad.= See _Angry_ and _Crazy_.
[Illustration]
=Make= or =Manufacture=. Hammer the top of one fist with the other two
or three times, giving both hands a twisting motion. (Sheeaka. Adopted
from the Deaf.) Compare _Work_, which is mostly used by _Indians_ for
_Make_.
Fr. _fabriquer_; Ger. _anfertigen_.
=Make up one’s mind.= See _Decide_.
[Illustration]
=Man= or =Male= (The one alone; the erect one). Right G held up at
height of chin, palm forward; many Cheyennes make it back forward. For
_Boy_ sign _Man_ then drop the hand down to a level that indicates
height, and turn it palm to you.
Fr. _l’homme_; Ger. _der Mann_.
=Mandan.= See _Indian Tribes_.
=Manitoba= (Red River Country). Give signs for _Country_, _River_, _Red_
(suggested).
=Manner.= See _Way_.
=Man who.= See _Doer_.
[Illustration]
=Many= (Many tens). Hold up both hands, face high, half closed, palms
forward; throw them forward in 5 shape. Repeat several times. See also
_Heap_ and _Much_.
Fr. _plusieurs_; Ger. _viele_.
[Illustration]
=Many times=, =Often=, or =All the time=. Hold out left arm level, hand
flat palm in; tap it a few times with right G hand from near wrist,
moving each time an inch or so toward elbow. Compare _Cheyenne_.
Fr. _souvent_; Ger. _oft_.
[Illustration]
=Married= or =Marry= (Side by side, united as one). Sign _Trade_, that
is, _Bargain_; then lay right G beside left G touching, both pointing
forward level, not moved. (C) The Cheyennes omit _Trade_. Compare
_Equal_, _Parallel_, and _Mates_.
Fr. _marié_, _épouser_; Ger. _verheiratet_, _heiraten_.
=Marten= or =Sable=. Sign _Weasel_; that is, curve right G and push it
forward, back up, in bounds; indicate size, yellow throat; then, running
up a tree. This is a suggested description, as I found no established
sign.
Fr. _la marte_, _la zibeline_; Ger. _der Marder_, _der Zobel_.
=Match.= Strike an imaginary match on right thigh, or left arm.
Fr. _l’allumette_; Ger. _das Streichholz_.
[Illustration]