Nod (gesture) 1833547 224079833 2008-07-07T05:46:27Z 67.54.211.88 {{Unreferenced|date=July 2007}} A '''nod''' of the [[head (anatomy)|head]] is a [[gesture]] in which the head is tilted in alternating up and down arcs along the [[sagittal plane]]. In many [[culture]]s, it is most commonly, but not universally, used to indicate [[agreement]], [[acceptance]], or [[acknowledgment]]. "Nod" or "nodding" can also be used as a slang term to describe the [[physiological]] side effect related to consuming [[heroin]] or other [[opiates]]. Casual heroin users tend to nod as they drift between [[sleep]] and [[consciousness]]. ==Nodding to indicate acceptance== Different cultures assign different meanings to the gesture. Nodding to indicate "yes" is widespread, and appears in a large number of diverse cultural and [[linguistic groups]]. Areas in which nodding generally takes this meaning include [[Indian subcontinent]] (note that the [[head bobble]] also shows agreement there), [[Iran]], [[Western Europe]], and [[North America]]. Nodding may also be used as a sign of recognition in some areas. ===Origin=== There are varying theories as to why nodding is so frequently used to mean "yes". One simple theory is that it is a form of [[bowing (social)|bowing]], indicating that one is prepared to accept what another person is saying or requesting. It has also been stated<sup>[http://books.google.com/books?id=KRULAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA275&dq=nodding+darwin#PPA272]</sup><sup>[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_450b.html]</sup> that [[babies]], when hungry, search for their mother's milk by moving their heads vertically, but decline milk by turning their head from side to side. This has led some to speculate that nodding for "yes" is at least partially innate, although an explanation for some cultures' divergence would then be required. An early survey of nodding and other gestures was ''The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals'', written by [[Charles Darwin]] in [[1872]]. Darwin wrote to [[missionaries]] in many parts of the world asking for information on local gestures, and concluded that nodding for "yes" was common to many different groups. ==Nodding to indicate rejection== In some countries ([[Bulgaria]] and [[Sri Lanka]]) nodding actually has the opposite meaning: "no". It is possible that with the spread of [[Western culture]], the Western use of the gesture has supplanted local usage in certain places. Rumor has it that during World War II in Bulgaria, people were trained to reverse the meaning of shaking and nodding heads in an attempt to confuse spies who had infiltrated the country. The habit stuck and now depending on the individual, people in Bulgaria can use shaking and nodding one's head for both meanings.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} In fact, nodding means no in all byzantine civilisation era. It includes Bulgaria, Greece, and some other slavic places.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} ==Nod of acknowledgment== The nod of acknowledgment is a slight nod of the head in either a slight upwards or slight downwards motion. Despite the fact that the nod of acknowledgment is generally used among males, there are women that choose this method of acknowledgment over the standard verbal greeting or a simple wave of the hand. Although this may seem like a simple gesture there are many nuances that can either make an exchange or break it{{Fact|date=August 2007}}. ==Machines== [[Image:Nodding donkey.jpg|thumb|This "[[nodding donkey]]" received its name from the up-down movement it makes to pump oil out of the ground.]] The nodding movement is used also in moving figures also known as [[bobblehead doll|bobbleheads]] installed on vehicles like cars where the car movements induce oscillations of the figure that seems to be nodding. ==References== *[http://books.google.com/books?id=KRULAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA275&dq=nodding+darwin#PPA272,M1Darwin, Charles. The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1913; Page 272], accessed through Google Book Search. ==External links== *[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_450b.html The Straight Dope] *[http://www.imponderables.com/archives/000154.php Imponderables] {{Gestures}} [[Category:Gestures]] [[de:Nicken]] [[nl:Knik (gebaar)]] [[pl:Nodding]] [[zh:点头]]