Sign of the Horns

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Superstition often leads people to make unusual gestures in order to ward off bad luck. One such gesture is raising the index and little finger, also known as "the sign of the horns." This vulgar hand signal has various origins and meanings; it can be used to indicate a man whose wife is unfaithful or to avert harm during unlucky situations. The sign may have once been used to protect against the evil eye, historically pointed at suspected witches. In Italy, pointing the index and little finger at someone is a common curse as well as an accusation of infidelity. Rock fans also use this hand signal to show their appreciation for the music. In heavy metal subculture, it's known as the "malocchio," derived from Italian superstition, and popularized by Ronnie James Dio when he joined Black Sabbath. The sign is used in various sports, including baseball where players use it to signal two outs, and college sports teams like the University of Texas and the University of South Florida, whose fans use it during games.