ps the sign langauge for love is either to put your hands on your shoulders crossed or to do the horn thing with your thumb in the lower fingers (one the British way and one the yank forgot which is which mind) To say me/I, you point to you and to say you, you point to them so ha

Far worse, however, is the meaning in Brazil, Germany and a few Mediterranean countries: the circular shape of the gesture gives it the meaning of “anus”, and is therefore used to call somebody an “asshole”, or, by extension, a homosexual.

I’m from Germany and I’ve heard actually of this meaning, but I know absolutely no German who understands this sign as insult. I’m using it myself as “perfect” or so. Maybe there are regions in Germany where poeple will misinterpret this, but I think this is more an urban legend.

Ronnie James Dio - the man largely credited with bringing this gesture (and it’s modern meaning in Western culture) is not, nor was he ever, a guitar player in the band Black Sabbath (or any other band I know of, for that matter).

He was the lead singer for Black Sabbath during the years after the band’s separation from original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, from 1979 to 1983.

The guitarist for Black Sabbath is and has always been a one Mr. Tony Iommi, who suffered a well-known injury early in his career where he severed the tips of several fingers on his left hand. This led to him using a set of specially-made thimbles designed to facilitate his guitar playing. Perhaps all this business with fingers, gestures, the devil, and dismemberment was the cause of your confusion.

In short, you credited the right man, but the wrong hand, more or less.

Interesting article, regardless.