this post was submitted on 06 Jun 2026
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me_irl

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[–] ruuster13@lemmy.zip 6 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

In American Sign Language, raising eyebrows has many functions. It can be used to ask yes/no. You can set context when telling a story. With lowered eyebrows you turn a "w" word (who/what/when etc.) into a question.

But also, you use this more then you realize regardless of your language. If you lock eyes with a stranger at a bar then raise eyebrows, it means "you interested?" In regular conversation it means "are you serious?" or "wow!" depending on context. At a party it might be how you ask your friend across the room if they're ready to leave or if they're feeling safe.

[–] pomegranatefern@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago)

As an autistic person, learning the syntactical rules of ASL eyebrow usage explicitly had a very real side effect of several "ohhhh" moments about eyebrow usage in casual conversation.

[–] TwoTiredMice@feddit.dk 14 points 11 hours ago (2 children)

How many of you raised your eye brows after seeing this, or was it only me?

[–] KoboldCoterie@pawb.social 3 points 11 hours ago

Well of course. You have to test it out and see if it feels like something you do. It's the law.

[–] ClockworkOtter@lemmy.world 1 points 10 hours ago

Just one eyebrow

[–] expatriado@lemmy.world 19 points 13 hours ago

i am more high effort; chin up and down 2 cm

[–] saltnotsugar@lemmy.world 7 points 11 hours ago

I do the Oxford eyebrows (2 raises). The Stanford eyebrows (3 raises) is a bit much. Not trying to get laid here.

[–] gezero@sopuli.xyz 7 points 13 hours ago

Slightly longer blink that would happen anyway joined with an unnoticeable nod....

[–] its_kim_love@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 13 hours ago

Ever since COVID shaking hands feels wrong.