Q
Quality. See Rank.
Quandary, In a fix, Run against, or Up against it. Hold out the curved left hand nearly at arm’s length, back forward; push the ditto right from near the breast right out briskly and hard against the left. Sometimes use Against. Compare Approach, which is similar, but is slow, and right does not touch; also, Print, which pushes and is repeated.
Fr. l’embarras; Ger. die Verlegenheit.
Quarter (But one of four). Hold up the left 4 hand, back out; then with the right G turn the little finger
down on the palm. Sometimes sign Half, then again half of the tip portion.
Fr. le quart; Ger. das Viertel.
Quarrel (Two persons springing at each other). Hold up both G hands and alternately jerk left at right and right at left.
Fr. la querelle; Ger. der Streit.
Quench. Fire and Wipe out.
Fr. éteindre; Ger. löschen.
Question, Query, Interrogation, I am asking you a question, I want to know, usually equivalent to “Is that you?” (Groping or uncertain.) Hold up the right hand toward the person, palm down and forward, fingers and thumb open, spread, but a little curved; by wrist action, swing the hand in small vertical semicircles. The diagram below the illustration indicates the finger tips seen from in front. The motion shown for the little finger is, of course, shared by all. This is a very important and much-used sign; it appears before all questions.
If the person is quite distant, hold the hand higher, more spread, and wave it several times to right and left.
When very near, merely raise the eyebrows. For long distance, raise both arms like Y with hands flat and waved a little. (Crow.) See Consider.
Fr. l’interrogation; Ger. die Frage.
The following are needed in asking questions:
How? Sign Question and Work and Way.
Fr. comment?; Ger. wie?
How many? or How much? Sign Question; next hold the left hand open, curved, palm up, fingers spread; then with right G digit, quickly tap each finger on left in succession, closing it back toward the left palm, beginning with the little finger.
Fr. combien?; Ger. wie viele?
What? (As in “What are you doing?” “What is it?”) Sign Question; follow with the same sign much exaggerated; that is, with the arm action, swing the right 5 hand, palm under, fingers slightly bent and separated and pointing forward, in an arc of about a foot from right over to left and back once or twice. The Cheyennes in general use this, though they denied it when questioned. But it seems a good logical sign, the large arc being equivalent to “object.”
Fr. quoi? que?; Ger. was?
When? If seeking a definite answer as to length of time, make signs for Question, How many? and then specify time by sign for hours, days, etc. If asking in general When? sign Question and Time.
When? If asking for an exact date or point hold up the left G, make a circle around its tip with right G, which always points at it. On reaching the starting point, the right G stops, touches the tip of left G. (Sioux, given by Sheeaka.) This probably represents the shadow going around the tree. See Time.
Fr. quand?; Ger. wann?
Whence? Strike to left with right G, back up, then over to right a foot away, then back and again; point
to the person and sign Come. Usually it needs no Question.
Fr. d’où?; Ger. woher?
Where? or Whither? (What direction?). Sign Question; then with forefinger sweep the horizon in a succession of bounds, a slight pause at the bottom of each, the head following the finger. (Sioux and Arapahoe.) The actual line of the finger is illustrated in the lower plan, the hand being gracefully rotated on the wrist in doing it. Or sign Question and Somewhere.
Where? Sign Question and Look.
Where? (In an abstract sense). Extend the open hands, palm up, from the sides out low to the front, and swing them from side to side with a look of inquiry on the face. (Pop.)
Fr. où?; Ger. wo? wohin?
Which? (When the objects are in sight). Sign Question and point with right G in three or four directions, downward or toward the objects in question.
Which? (When the objects are not in sight). Sign Question; then hold left hand in front of you, with palm toward you, fingers to right and held apart; place the end of the right forefinger on that of the left forefinger and then draw it down across the other fingers.
Fr. quel, lequel?; Ger. welcher?
Whither? Sign Question and Go, in two or three directions.
Fr. où?; Ger. wohin?
Who? Sign Question and Man.
Fr. qui?; Ger. wer?
Why? Sign Question, but do it very slowly. (C)
Why? Sign Question and Want.
Fr. pourquoi?; Ger. warum?
Quick. See Fast and Hurry.
Quiet, be, Be not alarmed, Have patience. The palm of the flat hand held toward the person and gently depressed once or twice. See Easy.
Fr. soyez tranquille; Ger. beruhigen Sie sich.
Quiet, be. See Silence.
Quit. See Give up; also Finish.