CHIPS Version 1: spell C-H-I-P-S.
Note: You may see people drop the "S" when spelling chips. For example a person might sign POTATO and then spell C-H-I-P (with raised eyebrows to create a yes/no question) to ask if you want some "potato chips."
CHIPS:
Fingerspelled "C-H-I-P-S" animation:
CHIPS: (Variation)
It is based on concept of the dominant "C" hand thumb representing a knife or peeler and the non-dominant palm-down "S" hand representing a potato. Make two quick downward / forward slicing movements as if you were slicing a potato to make chips. The thumb scrapes (actually it just lightly / quickly brushes a bit) along the back of the "palm-down" left fist.
See "CHIPS" - (version) animated
Also see: POTATO
Notes:
When I was younger I used to think that the "CHIPS" sign above was just a made up sign we used around the Vicars house, otherwise known as a "home-sign." It was useful for one of our daughters, Sarah, who doesn't have any joints in her fingers. (Sort of hard to fingerspell words like "C-H-I-P-S" when you can't bend your fingers.)
It is fairly common for Deaf households to come up with "home signs" to refer to things that may not have commonly recognized signs outside of the home. (Note: I don't recommend Hearing people "invent" signs because Hearing people who are not immersed in the culture tend to create home-signs that conflict with existing signs and/or are embarrassingly inappropriate. When in doubt whether a sign is offensive or not -- ask a Deaf person.)
I originally posted the variation of the sign for CHIPS here with an explanation that it was a "home-sign" so that people could appreciate the fact that this language came into being as a direct result of people adapting to their circumstances. Back then, (when I first posted it) I figured it would be unlikely to see this sign done outside my home. I posted it figuring it might be helpful to others.
Well it seems many others have also "came up with this sign" and/or it has spread very quickly. See below.
-- Dr. Bill
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In a message dated 10/26/2007 1:03:37 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, mtew@ writes:
Just thought I would let you know, I was looking at the sign you said is a home-sign for chips, however that is how my daughter learned it down here in Florida. Maybe it has already started to catch on?? Thanks for all of your help!!
Yours,
Monica J. Tew
In a message dated 10/27/2007 11:00:23 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, Dr. Bill writes:
Monica,
Thanks for mentioning that.
I think you are right. The use of that sign has spread far and wide.
I saw it the other day being used by a graduate of the California School for the Deaf, Fremont.
But instead of using an "S" hand (fist) for the base hand, she was using an index finger for the base hand and using the "C" hand as the moving, dominant hand. I'll stick with the "S" and "C" variation for now, but it is interesting to see how quickly language can evolve.
-- Dr.Bill
Note: Suppose I were referring to "chocolate chips" -- I would be inclined to use the index finger version (use the non-dominant hand in a "1" handshape) and do the dominant hand in a "C" handshape -- using the thumb of the "C" to slice off (chip off) a "chip" from the tip of the non-dominant index finger.
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-----Original Message-----
From: Barbara XXXXXX < ___________@gmail.com>
To: Bill Vicars <BillVicars@aol.com>
In a message dated Mon, Oct 24, 2022 10:29 pm, Barbara [last name removed to protect her privacy] wrote:
Subject: CHIPS, home sign
I was signing with several people from Vancouver, BC. recently (October 2022).
They use mainly ASL, but once and a while slip in a BSL word.
They sign CHIP the way you do on your webpage. CHIPS (Variation). So maybe your home sign has become a sign. The Vancouver, BC people I was signing with would probably not have studied your material. One person is 82 years old now, and went to Gallaudet at age 19. The other person is 36 and learned ASL in school in Canada.
Your CHIP page that I am referring to: https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/c/chips.htm
Thanks for the helpful videos.
Barbara XXXXXX
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Barbara,
Thanks for sharing your observation! It is fun / nice to learn of where and how a sign is being used.
I certainly take no credit for the "CHIPS" sign since it is quite possible -- likely even -- that it spontaneously evolved in multiple households and spread. It would be interesting to know or find out the earliest recorded usage of the sign. For example, imagine if it showed up in a video recording from the 1960s or earlier?!? (Or if an 82 year old used the sign as a young child!)
In any case, it is a fun little sign and has apparently been used by many signers for many years.
Again, thanks!
Warm regards,
+ Bill
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