Thinking like Sherlock

Grave Symbols & Hump Day Happenings The Game is Still afoot!

Thinking like Sherlock

“By a man’s finger nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boot, by his trouser knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression, by his shirt cuffs — by each of these things a man’s calling is plainly revealed. That all united should fail to enlighten the competent enquirer in any case is almost inconceivable.”

~Sherlock Holmes A Study in Scarlet

Ah, Sherlock. I’m so glad season 3 in your latest iteration is finally on TV. The game is afoot in my imagination.

Our lives are filled with symbols. Literally filled. Two of the oldest are the nod and the shaking of the head as stand-ins for yes and no. In sociology, the study of human social behavior, these simple body gestures are symbols of communication. The interesting thing about those two, they’re nearly world-wide in understanding. That shows you how truly old they really are. Gestures are nonverbal information and they happen consciously and subconsciously.

Of course I understand them as a human, but the writer I am sees potential in the fact they happen consciously and subconsciously. Just knowing that puts my mind in Sherlock mode. As Sherlock Holmes would say, “Give me details!”. The literary world is full of body language — from pacing and nervous twitches to head-scratching perplexity and come hither glances. I could go on…

I think I will!

Body language from head to toe collar

I started this post with the idea of doing a head to toe run-down of gesture symbology. But after I’d composed all of the following, I saw dozens more in my mind. I’ve decided to change it to head to collar. Otherwise I’d be working on it all day! I can’t do that, I have a novel in progress that needs my attention.

Head tilt – interest

Prolonged tilt – boredom or impatience

Head in hand – boredom or focus

Head in two hands – overwhelmed or listening with deeper focus

Head bowed, eyes raised – coy invitation

Head clasping, elbows high – wondering what to do next

Hair twirling or fiddling – insecurity, lack of confidence, sexual overtones

Hair tossing – look at me!

Hair pulling – frustration

Brow furrowing – a moment of confusion or deep thought

Brow raising – astonishment

Brow flick – acknowledgment or greeting

Forehead slap – sudden understanding

Face palm – exasperation

Face to face – sincerity or aggression

Knitted brows – anxiety

One brow raised – doubt

Fingertip to the temple – contemplation

Blinking – disbelief or astonishment

Dilated pupils – desire

Narrowing eyes – doubt or suspicion

Rubbing the eyes – doubt

Wide eyes – surprise

Eye rolling – exasperation

Eye crossing – fed up

Side eye – wary

Long eye closing – stop what you’re saying

Wincing – embarrassment or revulsion

Blank stare – unable to follow the thought

Looking down – embarrassment

Looking away – discomfort

Eye to eye – sincerity

Doe eyes – desire

Wink – share a secret

Eye batting – you want me don’t you?

Fluttering blink – nervous or aroused

Prolonged eye contact – sexual attraction

Head to toe perusal – overtly sexual – I like what I see

Rubbing the point between the eyes – weary or negative evaluation

Eyebrow fiddling – contemplating

Ear folding or tugging – Indecision

Nose wrinkling – something distasteful

Pinching the nose – distasteful as in that stinks

Rubbing the nose – you don’t like it

flared nostrils – excitement: positive or negative

Sharp sniff – displeasure

Finger to the side of the nose – keep the secret

Hand to cheek – evaluation

Inflating cheeks on a breath – buying time to decide

Lip licking – enjoyment

Lip worrying (biting) – anxiety

Finger to lip – enjoyable thoughts

Thrusting lip – a pout

Pursed lips – contemplative or annoyed

Finger to lip tapping – thinking and deciding

Tight lips – annoyance

Lip twitch – suppressed humor

Smile – happy

Frown – disturbed

Tongue poking – deep concentration

Sticking out the tongue – cheeky petulance

Running a tongue over the lips – potential enjoyment or I want you

Clenched teeth – anger

Baring teeth – aggression

Teeth tapping together – thought in process

Teeth tapping with fingernail – boredom

Yawn – tired or bored

Clenching jaw or jaw tic – suppressed anger

Jaw drop – stunned

Biting inside of cheek – holding back

Grimace – regret

Scowl – deep negativity

Stroking chin – thinking or making a decision

Thrusting chin – obstinate

A neck scratch in conversation – lying

Massaging the neck – working a problem or a show of attraction

Pulling collar – I’ve been found out

Holy cow. And that just involves the head! I’m sure I’ve missed some. There are so many ways to silently communicate. Other nonverbal gestures involving hands and body stances say even more. For the most part they’re universal symbols. Again, their universal understanding suggests they are beyond ancient to our species. Interesting to note: There are places in the world where your A-Ok or thumbs-up hand gesture would be taken as an insult. There are also places where your nod means no. In Korea, you must be careful how you smile. I have to wonder how anomalies of this sort came to be.

A few interesting places to learn more about gestures~

http://lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/concepts.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gestures

http://www.koko.org/world/signlanguage.html

Tomorrow ~ More!

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Another 100 Things Blogging Challenge! For 100 days, I’ll post something from my chosen topic: Words on the Verge of Extinction. There are 77 entries to come.

Here’s one for today:

Kexy (adjective commonly seen 1608-1884)

dry, brittle, withered

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Today our guest is Elizabeth Schechter.

http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/

All through January the RB4U authors are doing interviews. The thoughtful questions are a great way to get to know us. Commenting that day gives you a chance to win a collectable t-shirt. Come see!

Right now the COLD SNOW, HOT ROMANCE CONTEST is on! Three winners will each receive a $25 gift card for Amazon/Barnes & Noble, and split the other prizes randomly picked from prize list. Be sure to check all our pages for news about authors and their books, publishers and their books, and industry representatives. http://www.romancebooks4us.com/

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Today on Genesis of a Book we have Kelley Heckart

Several promotional opportunities for romance authors can be found on my Exquisite Quills group blogs. Meet the founding authors and our guests.

http://exquisitequills.blogspot.com/

Exquisite Quills Yahoo Group

First Kiss Wednesday ~ share your best 300 word kiss.

Set the Scene in Six~ share your backdrop or lead-up on Sundays.

The Genesis of a Book ~ share the spark that ignited your novel

Author Interviews ~ We’re booking late spring now.

Coming soon ~ Tempt Us Tuesday

Today’s author: Augusta Fern

http://eq-recycled-reviews.blogspot.com/

A new place for your old stars to shine