Tribute to Troy

Mark Liberman, writing about hand signs associated with universities, asks who else has them.

Well, the University of Southern California doesn't have a sign that looks like Tommy Trojan (SC shudders to imagine the contortions that would be involved), but there is a sign that USC students and alums make at games. And graduation. And in bars. And...oh, you get it.

It's not just a static thing, though. This one comes with motion. First, make your index and middle fingers into a V, using the right hand. Now, get someone to start playing Tribute to Troy (it's the middle of the three songs in the link). It works best if someone = USC marching band. Now for the motion. Your right elbow shold be at a right angle to your torso to begin. Rotate your forearm forward until it's gone slightly past 90 degrees. Now go backwards the same distance. Repeat until the band gets tired. For more USC-themed musical traditions, see here.