American Sign Language: "lime"

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In all my years I've never seen a "great" sign for lime. If you see one. Let me know. Some folks use a modified version of LEMON (plus context) to mean "lime."  Maybe next time I visit South America someone down there will have a good sign, but up here in the States the safe thing to do is just spell it. See further below for some notes on "lime."



NOTES:

Note: May I direct your attention to that sexy looking "E?"  See it right after the "M?"  The shape of the "E" is influenced by the letter "M" preceding it. When you spell "LIME" at high speed, the index, middle, and ring fingers of the "M" just naturally snap up onto the thumb to form that version of the letter "E."  Fascinating eh? Quick now -- go and update all your friends about this. Then call your mother and let her know too.  But hey, the moment you ask your Deaf friend to model it, (by spelling L-I-M-E) their brain switches gears and he or she subconsciously tries to pretty it up for you and will likely just show you a "four-fingered E."  (Whew, I bet your ASL 1 textbook never called it that eh?)  Oh well.

Note:  "LIME-[initialized-version/LEMON]+[context] is a real thing.

In a message dated 8/21/2017 11:40:11 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, mmendrala writes:

First and foremost, your ASL lessons have helped me immensely! I've been signing since I was five (I have an aunt who is an ASL interpreter) however, without a strong group of deaf (or even hearing) ASL signers around me, I find it's very important to maintain constant study. You've been a huge help. Now on to my question (comment?). I recently was at a bar and met an older Deaf man whom I began a very interesting conversation with. After a while, I asked him what he was drinking, to which he responded 'Bud Light Lime' - and signed LIME with an 'L' shaped hand from his chin and out. After reviewing your lesson on the sign 'LIME' in which you physically fingerspell the word close to your mouth, I'm curious of your thoughts on this interpretation.
Most Sincerely,
- Michael

Michael,
Your comment is a good "in the field" observation of that sign ("LIME-[initialized-version/LEMON]) showing up on the hands of an EDP (everyday Deaf person) IRL (in real life). Bravo!  (Yah, I get excited about little stuff having to do with signing.) Regarding the sign for "lime" as done by the Bud Light (lite?) drinker -- did he "tap" it, "twist" it, or "thrust it out from the chin"?
- Dr. Bill
 

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Also see: LEMON

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