When I was 16, I went to England on a school exchange program trip. I wanted so bad to meet a British deaf person because British sign language is nothing like American sign language—they’re as different as Spanish is to English. Even though both countries speak English, their sign languages are completely different (long history). I had learned my ABC’s in BSL when I was little and was enthusiastic to try them out. Sure enough, we ran into a cute little old lady at one of the events we attended. I proudly used my BSL to chat with her and would interpret for everyone else, but then, in front of my friends, school principal, superintendent and their wives, she put her middle finger up and waved it around in a circle near her forehead, then pointed at me several times. O.o ??!!
I said, “What is that?” She does the movement again, laughing. I asked, “Are you saying, f..u..?” and she interrputs and hoots, “Yes, yes!” and keeps on laughing.
I’m aghast. This little old lady is flipping me off and laughing about it, but I wasn’t ready to give up. I asked again, “What is that movement,” and she points at me and spells, “f…u…n…n…y!” OH!!! I was funny! Not fu….!