[thechat] "thumbs up" or "screw you"

[Madhu Menon]

At 02:18 AM 07-04-03, Sean wrote:
>An upturned thumb, or thumbs up, from the emperor meant death or no mercy.
>A withheld thumb--an outstretched arm with the fist held sideways, the thumb
>either to the side or inside the fist--was a sign of reprieve.

Which, incidentally, they got wrong in "The Gladiator". :)

Little-known fact, perhaps, but hey, they should've researched it.

Madhu