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Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Sign of the Day
nippers
The sign 'nippers' in BSL uses both bent 5-hands near the waist with a repeated small up-down movement to convey the concept of small children. The handshape and movement suggest smallness and activity
A2 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Informal
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Both hands bent 5-shape, fingers slightly curled
Repeated small up-down movement
Referring to young children in a familiar or affectionate way
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
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How to form the sign
- Form bent 5-handshape with both hands, fingers slightly curled.
- Place hands near waist or stomach area, palms facing each other.
- Perform a small, repeated up-down movement with both hands
Coach prompt
Practice the bent 5-handshape with slight finger curl. Focus on the small, repeated up-down movement near the waist. Try to maintain symmetry between both hands
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands bent 5-shape, fingers slightly curled · Code B5-bent-curl
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palms face each other
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Puckered lips, slight smile
Body shift
None
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My nippers are growing up fast
Affectionate term, typically for one's own children or familiar kids
Best fit: Referring to young children in a familiar or affectionate way
Mirror focus
Practice the bent 5-handshape with slight finger curl. Focus on the small, repeated up-down movement near the waist. Try to maintain symmetry between both hands
Catch the slip
Ensure both hands are bent 5-shape with slight curl, not flat or fully closed. Keep movement small and near the waist, not too high or wide
Use it today
My nippers are growing up fast
Common mistakes: Confusing with similar signs for 'small' or 'short'
When not to use it: Formal settings or when referring to adults
Regional note: Minor variations in exact hand height or curl
Cultural note: Reflects a common British colloquial term for children
1.[en] My nippers are playing. / BSL:[hands near waist, repeated small up-down movement]
2.[en] She loves her nippers. / BSL:[sign for LOVE, then nippers]
3.[en] How are the nippers? / BSL:[sign for HOW, then nippers]
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Word web
Kids
children
youngsters
Adults
seniors
Child
baby
toddler
offspring
Child
Children
Kids
Small
Young
The sign "nippers" (both bent 5-hands, repeated small up-down near waist) can be compared to:
1. SMALL/LITTLE (CHILDREN): Often one hand (dominant) forms a C-shape or G-hand and moves down to represent growth. "Nippers" is two-handed and has a specific bent 5-shape.
2. SHORT (height): Typically one hand (B-hand or flat hand) placed horizontally at a specific height. "Nippers" uses two bent hands and a repeated up-down movement, focusing on the concept of small beings.
3. CHILD/KID: Often uses a C-hand or a flat hand tapping the head or moving down from the head. "Nippers" uses distinct handshapes and a different location/movement, conveying affection for small children
Family
children
informal
colloquial
Nippers BSL
children BSL
kids sign
small children sign
BSL kids
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