First question ; What does it mean when someone pulls their ear when talking to you? Carol burnett did it...
Next question ; When talking to you sometimes people will tap the side or tip of their nose( ive seen this on tv) as if to give you a silent clue to what they are saying. So knowing that these two movements are quite old what is their signifigance? what do they mean?
2006-07-12 06:24:32 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Carol Burnett did the ear tug to say hello to her grandmother. It was a silent message between the two.
Often people have nervous habits and the pull or rub on parts of their bodies.
Often the tap on the side of the nose can mean that the thought, "Is right on the nose," or correct.
Maybe a tug to the ear could mean to listen closely. Or maybe it is a nervous habit. I haven't seen it as much as the other.
2006-07-12 06:31:21 · answer #1 · answered by queenbee 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I imagine tapping the nose is from the old theatre convention (and by old, I mean at 1500s old) of the "aside", in which a character who was onstage with other characters would make knowing remarks to the audience that the other characters couldn't hear. In old theatre (as in opera and ballet) there were very stylized movements that certain characters would use, and the gesture often used for an aside was to put one's hand by the side of your mouth. I imagine it often turned into an extended index finger with the other fingers loose and not extended.
That's just a guess, really.
It's also possible that its from Charades, when tapping your nose indicates someone has given a correct answer.
2006-07-12 14:39:13 · answer #2 · answered by SugarPumpkin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nothing. you're probably reading too much into it. Carol Burnett did it as a signal to a family member. It doesn't mean anything though to the rest of us.
2006-07-12 13:28:57 · answer #3 · answered by kc_brig 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When Caroll Burnett tugged her ear she was saying hi to her mom. I guess she told her mom that when she tugs her ear its her way of saying hello. And i dont know about the other one.
2006-07-12 13:28:49 · answer #4 · answered by Chris 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tapping of the side of the nose symbolises that they are telling a secret, or something that should be kept quiet, or something you are privileged to be hearing.
Not sure about the ear one.
2006-07-12 14:07:17 · answer #5 · answered by furthur 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First meaning: pulling of ear to hold you closer so you can hear
the next answer to the next question: they are trying to tell you to keep short or they are bored
2006-07-12 13:29:03 · answer #6 · answered by revelc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋