Some of my older friends (but none of
my younger ones) use a different version of the sign for brown. It uses a relaxed "four" handshape
that moves downward twice.
BROWN (older version) (not recommended)
In my research on this sign the story I'm told as to the background of this sign
is that it represents the color of dirty old brown water coming out of a seldom
used water pipe. This is based on the downward movement of the "4" handshape
representing such things as "running water," a leak, or the downward flow of
liquid.
Remember, I'm not recommending this version, I'm just pointing it out here
because it is an interesting old sign that still shows up on the hands of some
Deaf people. Who knows? You
just might see it someday and you'll think, "Dr. Bill taught me that
variation!"
