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Saturday, July 26, 2025
Sign of the Day
copper
Sign for 'copper' (police officer) uses a C-hand on the cheek with a small circular motion
A2 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
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C-shape hand, fingers curved, thumb extended
Small circular motion or slight brush
Referring to a police officer informally
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
Use the numbered steps first, then check the sign anatomy cards to clean up the small details that make the sign look fluent instead of approximate.
How to form the sign
- Form C-shape hand with curved fingers and extended thumb
- Place hand on cheek or side of jaw/chin
- Make a small circular motion or slight brush
Coach prompt
Focus on correct C-handshape and smooth circular motion on the cheek
Signature details
Handshape
C-shape hand, fingers curved, thumb extended · Code C
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
N/A
Contact
Brush
Palm orientation
Towards signer or slightly forward
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Mouthing 'copper' or 'police'
Body shift
None
Use It Today
Move from recognition to real-life use
Everything below is designed to make the sign sticky: where it feels natural, what learners miss, and how to use it without sounding robotic.
The copper helped solve the crime
Colloquial term for a police officer in the UK
Best fit: Referring to a police officer informally
Mirror focus
Focus on correct C-handshape and smooth circular motion on the cheek
Catch the slip
Ensure hand is a clear C-shape, not a fist, and movement is circular on the cheek
Use it today
The copper helped solve the crime
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'sweet' or 'friend' due to face location
When not to use it: When referring to the metal element 'copper'
Regional note: Generally consistent across UK regions
Cultural note: Widely understood informal term for police in British culture
1.[en] The copper arrived. / BSL:[C-hand, cheek, circular] ARRIVE.
2.[en] I saw a copper. / BSL:I SEE [C-hand, cheek, circular].
3.[en] He is a copper. / BSL:HE IS [C-hand, cheek, circular]
What is the BSL sign for copper?
The sign for 'copper' (police officer) involves a C-shaped hand making a small circular motion or slight brush against the cheek.
How do you sign copper in BSL?
Form a C-hand, place it on your cheek, and move it in a small circle or brush slightly. This represents 'police officer'.
Is copper one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
The BSL sign for 'copper' is typically a one-handed sign, performed with the dominant hand.
What handshape is used for copper in BSL?
The sign uses a C-shape handshape, with the fingers curved and the thumb extended.
How does copper differ from similar signs in BSL?
It's distinct from 'sweet' (S-hand, tap chin) or 'friend' (G-hand, tap cheek twice). Handshape (C-hand) and specific movement/location are key differentiators.
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Word web
Police
bobby
officer
cop
Law
arrest
uniform
badge
station
Police
officer
law
arrest
metal
badge
The BSL sign for 'copper' (police officer) uses a C-hand with a small circular motion on the cheek. This differs from 'sweet' or 'nice' which uses an S-hand (fist) tapping the chin. It also differs from 'friend', which uses a G-hand (index finger extended) tapping the cheek twice. Key distinctions are the specific handshape, the exact location on the face, and the type of movement
Law enforcement
police
person
occupation
Police BSL
officer sign
cop BSL
law enforcement BSL
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