It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with American Sign Language. (Discuss)

ASL, the sign language used by the Deaf Community throughout most of North America, has a rich vocabulary of terms, which include profanity and cursing. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... American Sign Language (ASL, Ameslan) is the dominant sign language of the Deaf community in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in parts of Mexico. ... American Sign Language (ASL, Ameslan) is the dominant sign language of the Deaf community in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in parts of Mexico. ... A sign language (also signed language) is a language which uses manual communication instead of sound to convey meaning - simultaneously combining handshapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to express fluidly a speakers thoughts. ... Deaf community and Deaf culture are two phrases used to refer to persons who are culturally Deaf as opposed to those who are deaf from the medical/audiological/pathological perspective. ... Look up Profanity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Cursing can refer to: Curse Profanity ...

Examples

• The back of dominant open b-handshape flipped out under chin means "fuck you." Using a middle finger is the 'classic' flipping of the bird has the same meaning. Another common sign for "fuck you" uses an "FK" abbreviation, signed with an f-handshape changing to a k-handshape.

• The thumb/index finger side of a b-handshape struck against the side of the mouth or chin means "bitch" (contact point is the side of the index finger). "Bastard" can be produced by doing the same but on the forehead.

• Touching p-handshape middle finger to the nose tip then bringing it out to "F" (done with one hand) means "piss off", or, literally, “PENIS F”. This sign creates the meaning of “piss off” by combining the sign for "penis" and abbreviating "O-F-F-" by using simply one "F".

• Holding a d-handshape in front of the body with the index finger pointing somewhat forward and to the left and the palm pointing somewhat down, then shoving the hand quickly down and to the right as if condemning someone to hell signifies “Damn” The sign properly ends pointing mostly down and off to the right a bit. Doing this sign with an "H" means "hell."

• A rather illustrative sign for "bullshit" uses both arms held out, elbows bent, and folded in front of the signer with the right forearm on top of the left. The right hand mimics a pair of horns with the index and pinkie finger. The left hand mimics the "business end" with flapping fingers.

• The well known OK gesture, when held with the thumb on top at the level of the chest means "asshole", as seen in the film Mr. Holland's Opus.

• In addition, here is another way to sign the same thing.