A gesture with both index finger and middle finger raised and waving in the air

[moonlike]

Hi
I have seen it a lot in films. When a person is talking he raises the index and middle fingers of both hands and waves them in the air like quotation marks. could you please tell me what it means and when you do it?
Thanks a lot.

 

[JMurray]

I think you're referring to what are commonly called air quotes.
The gesture can mean different things but mostly it's to reinforce the sarcasm/scepticism/irony that you want to express. It often equates to the phrase "so-called".
a) I saw her having lunch again with that guy she says is her <<work colleague>>. (<< = air quotes)
b) He's not just a work colleague, they've been dating for weeks.
a) That's what I thought!

not a teacher

 

[emsr2d2]

"Eminem, the (air quotes) singer (air quotes) has a new album out."

The above sentence with use of the fingered air quotes would show that, in my opinion, Eminem is not a singer, though he may use that term himself or be termed that by other people. In that particular example, the opinion is completely subjective. My personal opinion is that rappers are not singers because they speak and don't sing.

 

[Barb_D]

I was just thinking in the "artiste" thread that when you said you change your voice a little to say "artiste" that you are using the vocal equivalent of air quotes.

 

[SoothingDave]

I wonder if the original poster meant this? That's the "V for victory."

 

[emsr2d2]

I wonder if the original poster meant this? That's the "V for victory."

I did actually wonder if they meant "V for Victory" but because the OP mentioned quotation marks, I plumped for the air quotes explanation too. I think we see both in films quite frequently.

 

[Rover_KE]

Air quotes are illustrated here.

The fingers point downwards.

Rover

 

[moonlike]

Thank you all. You did help me. Thanks SothingDave, I know that gesture and actually I meant the air quotes. However, I didn't know this term (air quote) for it. You all helped me a lot. Thanks Rover for the link it was of great use.
Thanks a bunch :up: