thumbs up, to twiddle your thumbs, thumb (one's) nose, self-dealing, word, index, thumb, fiduciary, fiduciary duty, bedbetting, under the thumb, What Our Words Tell Us (DAVID BROOKS)

Anyone can record how many people post messages on Slack or speak up in meetings. It can take years to discover whether somebody who is sitting alone in an office is producing a breakthrough or twiddling his thumbs



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Collaboration in modern business has gone too far
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'We got to see Trump’s idea of a respectful, post-school-shooting thumbs up'

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Russia and Greece Flaunt Solidarity, but Deals Are Scarce

By NEIL MacFARQUHAR

The economic embrace between President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and the Greek premier, Alexis Tsipras, at a global business forum seemed mostly about thumbing their noses at Europe.

公民黨湯家驊表示，梁振英最有可能「背棄董事誠信」（breach of the fiduciary duty），這屬於民事責任。民主黨單仲偕分析，梁振英協助UGL買盤，將戴德梁行賤價賣出後獲取豐厚回報，可能涉嫌行賄，而梁振英是在出任行政長官期間收取鉅款萬元，卻沒有申報，做法明顯有問題。

Op-Ed Columnist
What Our Words Tell Us
By DAVID BROOKS May 29, 2013

專欄作者

 

從語詞窺見社會文化的變遷

戴維·布魯克斯 2013年05月29日

About two years ago, the folks at Google released a database of 5.2 million books published between 1500 and 2008. You can type a search word into the database and find out how frequently different words were used at different epochs.

大概兩年前，谷歌(Google)那幫人發佈了一個數據庫，包含了1500年到2008年之間出版的520萬本圖書。你可以在數據庫里鍵入關鍵詞，了解各種詞彙在不同年代的使用頻率會有多大差異。

The database doesn’t tell you how the words were used; it just tells you how frequently they were used. Still, results can reveal interesting cultural shifts. For example, somebody typed the word “cocaine” into the search engine and found that the word was surprisingly common in the Victorian era. Then it gradually declined during the 20th century until around 1970, when usage skyrocketed.

數據庫不會告訴你具體這個詞是怎麼用的；它只是告訴你使用頻率。但是搜索結果還是能揭示一些有趣的文化轉變。比如有人在搜索引擎里輸入「可卡因」，發現這個詞在維多利亞時代驚人地常見。然而到了20世紀漸漸減少，直到1970年左右突然躥升。

I’d like to tell a story about the last half-century, based on studies done with this search engine. The first element in this story is rising individualism. A study by Jean M. Twenge, W. Keith Campbell and Brittany Gentile found that between 1960 and 2008 individualistic words and phrases increasingly overshadowed communal words and phrases.

通過用這個搜索引擎展開的研究，我希望能 講述一個關於近半個世紀的故事。這個故事的第一個要素是個人主義的崛起。簡·M·特文奇(Jean M. Twenge)、K·基思·坎貝爾(W. Keith Campbell)和布里特妮·詹泰爾(Brittany Gentile)的一項研究發現，1960到2008年間個體性的詞語和短語逐漸超越群體性的詞語和短語。

That is to say, over those 48 years, words and phrases like “personalized,” “self,” “standout,” “unique,” “I come first” and “I can do it myself” were used more frequently. Communal words and phrases like “community,” “collective,” “tribe,” “share,” “united,” “band together” and “common good” receded.

具體來說，在這48年里，「個人化的」、「自我」、「突出」、「獨特」、「我優先」和「我可以自己來」這樣的詞語和短語使用更頻繁了。「社區」、「集體」、「部落」、「分享」、「聯合」、「合起來」和「公益」這樣的群體性詞語和短語日漸式微。

The second element of the story is demoralization. A study by Pelin Kesebir and Selin Kesebir found that general moral terms like “virtue,” “decency” and “conscience” were used less frequently over the course of the 20th century. Words associated with moral excellence, like “honesty,” “patience” and “compassion” were used much less frequently.

這個故事的第二個要素是去道德化。佩林· 凱瑟比爾(Pelin Kesebir)和塞林·凱瑟比爾(Selin Kesebir)的一項研究發現，一些常見的道德詞彙，比如「美德」、「正派」和「良知」在20世紀的使用頻率逐漸下降。一些和優良品行相關的詞，比如 「誠實」、「耐心」和「憐憫」，使用次數較以前少了很多。

The Kesebirs identified 50 words associated with moral virtue and found that 74 percent were used less frequently as the century progressed. Certain types of virtues were especially hard hit. Usage of courage words like “bravery” and “fortitude” fell by 66 percent. Usage of gratitude words like “thankfulness” and “appreciation” dropped by 49 percent.

凱瑟比爾姊妹篩選出了50個和美德相關的詞，發現其中74%的詞在過去一個世紀里使用頻率有所下降。某些類型的美德格外難覓蹤跡。「勇敢」和「堅韌」這樣表達勇氣詞彙使用率下降了66%。「感激」和「感謝」等謝辭的使用率下降了49%。

Usage of humility words like “modesty” and “humbleness” dropped by 52 percent. Usage of compassion words like “kindness” and “helpfulness” dropped by 56 percent. Meanwhile, usage of words associated with the ability to deliver, like “discipline” and “dependability” rose over the century, as did the usage of words associated with fairness. The Kesebirs point out that these sorts of virtues are most relevant to economic production and exchange.

「樸素」和「謙遜」等表謙虛的詞使用率下降52%。「親切」和「樂於助人」等表憐憫心的詞下降56%。與此同時，和行事能力有關的詞，比如「紀律」和「可靠性」，一個世紀以來使用率在上升，和公平性相關的詞也是這樣。凱瑟比爾姊妹指出，這類美德在經濟生產和交易中更有用。

Daniel Klein of George Mason University has conducted one of the broadest studies with the Google search engine. He found further evidence of the two elements I’ve mentioned. On the subject of individualization, he found that the word “preferences” was barely used until about 1930, but usage has surged since. On the general subject of demoralization, he finds a long decline of usage in terms like “faith,” “wisdom,” “ought,” “evil” and “prudence,” and a sharp rise in what you might call social science terms like “subjectivity,” “normative,” “psychology” and “information.”

喬治梅森大學(George Mason University)的丹尼爾·克萊恩(Daniel Klein)的研究是用谷歌搜索引擎進行的範圍最廣的研究之一。他為我前面提到的兩大要素找到了進一步的證據。在個人化這個問題上，他發現「偏好」這個在 大約1930年以前很少用的詞，自那以後突然出現大幅提升。在去道德化這個一般性主題上，他發現「信念」、「智慧」、「應當」和「審慎」這樣的詞使用率存 在持續性的下降，而一些可以說是社會科學術語的詞則大幅提升，比如「主觀性」、「規範化」、「心理學」和「信息」。

Klein adds the third element to our story, which he calls “governmentalization.” Words having to do with experts have shown a steady rise. So have phrases like “run the country,” “economic justice,” “nationalism,” “priorities,” “right-wing” and “left-wing.” The implication is that politics and government have become more prevalent.

克萊恩給我的故事加入了第三個要素，他稱之為「政府化」(governmentalization)。一些跟專家有關的詞使用率出現穩步上升。「治理國家」、「經濟正義」、「國家主義」、「優先」、「右翼」和「左翼」等短語也是這樣。這暗示了政治和政府的影響力加大。

So the story I’d like to tell is this: Over the past half-century, society has become more individualistic. As it has become more individualistic, it has also become less morally aware, because social and moral fabrics are inextricably linked. The atomization and demoralization of society have led to certain forms of social breakdown, which government has tried to address, sometimes successfully and often impotently.

那麼我想講的故事是這樣的：在過去半個世紀里，社會變得更加個人化了。隨着它的個人化，道德意識也在減弱，因為社會和道德結構是密不可分地交織在一起的。社會原子化和去道德化導致了某些社會形態的崩塌，政府試圖應對這個問題，有時候能成功，但多數是無能為力的。

This story, if true, should cause discomfort on right and left. Conservatives sometimes argue that if we could just reduce government to the size it was back in, say, the 1950s, then America would be vibrant and free again. But the underlying sociology and moral culture is just not there anymore. Government could be smaller when the social fabric was more tightly knit, but small government will have different and more cataclysmic effects today when it is not.

如果真是如此，那麼這個故事會令左右兩派 都感到不安。保守派認為如果我們能把政府縮小到以前的規模，比如20世紀50年代那樣，美國就能重新找回活力和自由。然而內在的社會和道德文化已經今非昔 比了。在社會結構更加緊密交織的時候，政府可以小一些，但如今不是那樣，小政府想起作用是很難的，會引發更多的動蕩。

Liberals sometimes argue that our main problems come from the top: a self-dealing elite, the oligarchic bankers. But the evidence suggests that individualism and demoralization are pervasive up and down society, and may be even more pervasive at the bottom. Liberals also sometimes talk as if our problems are fundamentally economic, and can be addressed politically, through redistribution. But maybe the root of the problem is also cultural. The social and moral trends swamp the proposed redistributive remedies.

自由派有時候會提出，我們的主要問題來自 上層：自利交易的精英，富可敵國的銀行家。但是有證據表明個人主義和去道德化在整個社會上下無所不在，在底層可能更加普遍。按自由派的一些看法，我們的問 題似乎從根本上是經濟問題，並且可以從政治的角度，通過收入再分配加以解決。然而問題的根源可能還有文化的成分。社會和道德潮流會把他們提出的再分配補救 方案吞沒。

Evidence from crude data sets like these are prone to confirmation bias. People see patterns they already believe in. Maybe I’ve done that here. But these gradual shifts in language reflect tectonic shifts in culture. We write less about community bonds and obligations because they’re less central to our lives.

在如此粗糙的數據集中提取的證據往往會存在確認偏誤。人總是會看到那些和他們既有信念相符的跡象，可能我現在就是這樣。但是語言的逐步轉變會反映文化的構造變遷。我們對社群維繫和責任寫得少了，那是因為它們在我們的生活里不像以往那麼重要了。

Copyright © 2013 The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.

本文最初發表於2013年5月21日。
翻譯：經雷

Gardening

By DOMINIQUE BROWNING

Michelle Obama's book about the White House garden, a look at Thomas Jefferson's garden at Monticello and other summer reads for green thumbs.

Self-dealing is the conduct of a trustee, an attorney, a corporate officer, or other fiduciary that consists of taking advantage of his position in a transaction and acting for his own interests rather than for the interests of the beneficiaries of the trust, corporate shareholders, or his clients. Self-dealing may involve misappropriation or usurpation of corporate assets or opportunities. Self-dealing is a form of conflict of interest.

1. Daily chart: Bedbetting | The Economist

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2. [2012.06.04]Bedbetting 在家赌博- 图表Daily Chart - 经济学人中文网 ...

fiduciary

[名]《法律》受託者.━━[形]1 《法律》信託された；受託者の fiduciary property信託財産 fiduciary duty（受託者の）忠実義務.2 〈不換紙幣が〉信用発行の.f...

word
(wûrd)
n.

1. A sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing or printing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or of a combination of morphemes.
2. Something said; an utterance, remark, or comment: May I say a word about that?
3. Computer Science. A set of bits constituting the smallest unit of addressable memory.
4. words Discourse or talk; speech: Actions speak louder than words.
5. words Music. The text of a vocal composition; lyrics.
6. An assurance or promise; sworn intention: She has kept her word.
7. 1. A command or direction; an order: gave the word to retreat.
   2. A verbal signal; a password or watchword.
8. 1. News: Any word on your promotion? See synonyms at news.
   2. Rumor: Word has it they're divorcing.
9. words Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth.
10. Used euphemistically in combination with the initial letter of a term that is considered offensive or taboo or that one does not want to utter: "Although economists here will not call it a recession yet, the dreaded 'R' word is beginning to pop up in the media" (Francine S. Kiefer).
11. Word
    1. See Logos (sense 2).
    2. The Scriptures; the Bible.

tr.v., word·ed, word·ing, words.
To express in words: worded the petition carefully.

interj.
Slang. Used to express approval or an affirmative response to something. Sometimes used with up.

idioms:
at a word

1. In immediate response.

good word

1. A favorable comment: She put in a good word for me.
2. Favorable news.

have no words for

1. To be unable to describe or talk about.

in a word

1. In short; in summary: In a word, the situation is serious.

in so many words

1. In precisely those words; exactly: hinted at impending indictments but did not say it in so many words.
2. Speaking candidly and straightforwardly: In so many words, the weather has been beastly.

of few words

1. Not conversational or loquacious; laconic: a person of few words.

of (one's) word

1. Displaying personal dependability: a woman of her word.

take at (one's) word

1. To be convinced of another's sincerity and act in accord with his or her statement: We took them at their word that the job would be done on time.

upon my word

1. Indeed; really.

[Middle English, from Old English.]

[名]

1 語, 単語

an English word
英単語

a new word
新語

common words
一般語

a compound ［a composite］ word
複合語, 合成語

a native word
自国語

loan words
借用語

a short word
（つづりが）短い語

a big word
（つづりが長くて）難解な言葉

technical words
専門語

plain words
平易な語

conversational words
話し言葉, 口語

literary words
書き言葉

What does this word mean？
この語はどういう意味ですか.

2 ((〜s))議論, 口論

hot words
激論

have ［exchange］ words with a person
人と口論する.

3 表明, 発言；((the 〜))最も適切な［ぴったりの］言葉；((the 〜))合い言葉

a word of praise ［warning］
賞賛［警告］の言葉

in one's ［a person's］ (own) words
自分［その人］（自身）の言葉で

be lost for words
何と言っていいかわからない

can't find the words
適当な言葉が見つからない

Cute is the word for her.
彼女にはキュートという言葉がぴったりだ

The big word in the travel business nowadays is ‘package tours'.
旅行業界での当節のはやり言葉は「パック旅行」です

Talented isn't the word for him.
彼は才能があるなんていうもんじゃない（天才的だ）.

4 ((単数形で, しばしば無冠詞またはthe 〜))たより, 消息, 知らせ, 報道, ニュース；うわさ

have ［receive］ word
知らせを受ける

send ［bring］ word
伝言する［知らせをもってくる］

get word of ...
…のうわさを耳にする［小耳にはさむ］

spread ［pass］ the word
ニュースを広める［伝える］

Word arrived that ...
…という知らせが届いた

The word is [Word has it] (that) ...
うわさでは…だ.

5 ((しばしば〜s))言葉, 話, （短い）談話［会議］, ちょっとした話

big words
大ぼら

a man of few ［many］ words
口数の少ない［多い］人

agree without words
暗黙のうちに同意する

put one's feelings into words
気持ちを言葉で表す

Many words and no action.
有言不実行

I would like to say a word.
一言言いたいと思う

I'd like ［＝Just］ a word ［few words］ with you.
ちょっとお話があるのですが

Words fail me.
((話))（驚きなどで）言葉が出ない, 何と言っていいのかわからない

Words cut more than swords.
((ことわざ)) 言葉は剣よりも鋭利；寸鉄人を刺す.

6 ((the ［one's］ 〜))指図, （…せよとの）命令((to do))

give ［get］ the word to start
出発せよという命令を下す［受ける］

say the word
((略式))許可を与える；命令する

“Pass the word. ” “Consider it passed. ”
「命令を伝えろ」「了解. 伝達します」.

7 ((通例one's 〜))請け合い, 保証, 約束

one's word of honor
名誉をかけた約束

a man ［a woman］ of his ［her］ word
約束を守る人

upon one's word
誓って, 必ず（⇒[間]）

keep one's word ［＝make one's word good］
約束を守る

break ［go back on］ one's word
約束を破る

You have our word on that.
それは保証する, 間違いなくその通りだ

He gave me his word he'd come.
来ると約束してくれた.

8 ((〜s))（曲に対し）歌詞；（芝居の）せりふ

He wrote the words and the music.
彼が作詞作曲した.

9 ((the W-))聖書；ロゴス；神の言葉, キリストの嘉信(かしん)(the Word of God).

10 《コンピュータ》ワード, 機械語(machine word).

11 タブーとされている言葉

You said a word.
それは罰当たりな言葉だよ.

12 ((古))ことわざ(proverb)；格言(motto).

at a ［one］ word

(1) （命令・要求に）即座に応じて, 一言言われただけで, ただちに

At a word, the police set out for the scene of the accident.
ただちに警察が事故現場に出動した.

(2) 要約すれば, 要するに(in a word).

a word in the ［a person's］ ear

耳に一言, ないしょ話.

be (as) good as one's word

約束を守る, 信頼できる.

be not the word for it

適切な表現［言葉］ではない.

beyond words

表現できない, 言い尽くせない.

by word of mouth

口伝えで, 口コミで.

drop ［have］ a word in a person's ear

〈人に〉こっそり話をつけておく, 一言耳に入れておく.

eat ［swallow］ one's words

（恥を忍んで）前言を取り消す, （前言の）過ちを認める.

hang on a person's words ［every word］

〈人の〉話を熱心に聞く［傾聴する］.

have a word with ...

((話))…と少し話す, ちょっと話し合う.

have no words for ...

…を表す言葉がない.

in as many words

はっきりと, あからさまに

I advised him in as many words to leave the studio.
撮影所をやめなさいとはっきり彼に勧めた.

in a ［one］ word

簡単に言えば, 要するに.

in other words

言いかえれば, すなわち.

Mark my words.

私の言うとおりだから見ててごらん.

not breathe a word

（秘密などを）一言たりとももらさない((of, about))

I promised not to breathe a word of the secret.
その秘密は一言も漏らさないと約束した.

not have a good word (to say) for ...

…に反対である；…をよく言わない.

not in so many words

はっきりと, あからさまに（言ったわけではない）.

not mince (one's) words

遠慮しないではっきり言う.

play on words

しゃれを言う, 地口を言う.

put in ［say］ a (good) word for ...

…をほめる, 推挙［弁護］する.

put (the) words into a person's mouth

((話))
(1) 人が（言わないのに）言ったように言う.
(2) 〈人に〉言うべきことを人に教える.

take a person at his word/take a person's word (for it)

〈人の〉言うことを真に受ける［信じる］.

take the words (right) out of a person's mouth

((話))〈人が〉言おうとしていることを先に言う.

take (up) the word

（人のあとを受けて）話し始める, 論じる, 話の穂を継ぐ.

the last word

⇒LAST WORD

too ... for words

((話))…すぎて話にならない, あまりにも…で言葉も出ない.

weigh one's words

慎重に言葉を吟味して言う［書く］.

word by ［for］ word

文字どおりに；（翻訳などが）一語一語, 逐語的に.

━━[動](他)((ふつう様態の副詞を伴って))…を言葉に表す, 言葉を選んで表現する

word a contract with great care
細心の注意を払って契約書を作成する

Worded plainly, ...
((文修飾副詞的))わかりやすく言うと.

━━[間]((次の句で))

My word！/Upon my word！

((主に英))((驚き))おや, これは, まあ, わあ.

［古英語. ゴート語waurts（根）と同系. △ROOT¹, RADICAL］

index

n., pl., -dex·es, or -di·ces (-dĭ-sēz').

1. Something that serves to guide, point out, or otherwise facilitate reference, especially:
   1. An alphabetized list of names, places, and subjects treated in a printed work, giving the page or pages on which each item is mentioned.
   2. A thumb index.
   3. A table, file, or catalog.
   4. Computer Science. A list of keywords associated with a record or document, used especially as an aid in searching for information.
2. Something that reveals or indicates; a sign: "Her face . . . was a fair index to her disposition" (Samuel Butler).
3. A character (☞) used in printing to call attention to a particular paragraph or section. Also called fist, hand.
4. An indicator or pointer, as on a scientific instrument.
5. 1. Mathematics. A number or symbol, often written as a subscript or superscript to a mathematical expression, that indicates an operation to be performed, an ordering relation, or a use of the associated expression.
   2. A number derived from a formula, used to characterize a set of data.
6. A number that represents the change in price or value of an aggregate of goods, services, wages, or other measurable quantity in comparison with a reference number for a previous period of time.
7. Index Roman Catholic Church. A list formerly published by Church authority, restricting or forbidding the reading of certain books.

tr.v., -dexed, -dex·ing, -dex·es.

1. To furnish with an index: index a book.
2. To enter in an index.
3. To indicate or signal.
4. To adjust through indexation.

[Middle English, forefinger, from Latin.]

indexer in'dex'er n.


 thumb (thŭm)
n.

1. 1. The short thick digit of the human hand, next to the index finger and opposable to each of the other four digits.
   2. A corresponding digit in other animals, especially primates. Also called pollex.
2. The part of a glove or mitten that covers the thumb.
3. Architecture. An ovolo.

v., thumbed, thumb·ing, thumbs. v.tr.

1. To scan (written matter) by turning over pages with or as if with the thumb.
2. To disarrange, soil, or wear by careless or frequent handling.
3. Informal. To solicit (a ride) from a passing vehicle by signaling with the thumb.

v.intr.

1. To scan written matter by turning over pages with or as if with the thumb: thumbed through the latest issue of the magazine.
2. Informal. To hitchhike.

idioms:all thumbs

1. Lacking physical coordination, skill, or grace; clumsy.

thumb (one's) nose

1. To express scorn or ridicule by or as if by placing the thumb on the nose and wiggling the fingers.

thumbs down

1. An expression of rejection, refusal, or disapproval.

thumbs up

1. An expression of approval, success, or hope.

under (one's) thumb

1. Under the control of someone; subordinate to.

[Middle English, from Old English thūma.]

━━ n. （pl. 〜・es, in・dices ） 索引; 【コンピュータ】インデックス, 索引 ((ファイル中のレコードを引き出すのに用いる参照項目表)); 目録; しるし; 指針; 人差し指 （index finger）; 指じるし (()); （物価などの）指数 （index number）; 指標; ＝thumb index; 【カトリック】（the I-） 禁書目録.
━━ vt. （本に）索引をつける; 索引に記入する; （賃金を）物価にスライドさせる.
in・dex・a・tion
　━━ n. 物価スライド制.
indexed address　【コンピュータ】指標付きアドレス.
indexed addressing　【コンピュータ】指標付きアドレス指定.
indexed color　【コンピュータ】（カラーマップに）設定された色.
indexed sequential access method　【コンピュータ】索引付き順アクセス方式 ((略 ISAM)).
in・dex・er　━━ n. 【コンピュータ】インデクサ ((データベースの索引を専門につくる人)).
Index Ex・pur・ga・to・ri・us
　【カトリック】（書籍の）削除部分指定目録.
index fossil　【古生物】示準［標準］化石.
index generation　【コンピュータ】インデックス生成.
index hole　【コンピュータ】（フロッピーディスクの）位置決め孔.
in・dex・ing　━━ n. 【コンピュータ】索引付け.
index-linked　━━ a. 〔英〕 【金融】インデックス連動の, 消費指数に関連した.
index mark　【コンピュータ】インデックス・マーク.
index of refraction　（the 〜） ⇒refraction.
index register　【コンピュータ】インデックス・レジスタ ((演算処理でアドレス値などの変更に用いるレジスタ)).
index sequential file　【コンピュータ】インデックス・シーケンシャル・ファイル, ISAMファイル.



thumb

• 発音記号[θʌ'm]

[名]

1 （手の）親指；（動物の）第一指；（手袋などの）親指（の部分）. ⇒FINGER[名]1

2 《建築》丸身［まんじゅう］繰形.

3 ((米略式))ヒッチハイク

by thumb
ヒッチハイクで

on the thumb
((米俗))ヒッチハイク中で.

4 ((米俗))マリファナ巻きタバコ.

all (fingers and) thumbs

((略式))〈人・動作などが〉ぎごちない, 無器用な

He is all thumbs. ［＝He has ten thumbs. ］
彼はまったく無器用だ.

bite the thumb at ...

〈人を〉ばかにして親指をかんでみせる, 〈人を〉からかう.

bite one's thumb

怒って［いらいらして］親指をかむ.

give ... the thumbs up［down］

((略式))…を正式に承認［却下］する.

stick［stand］ out like a sore thumb

((略式))目ざわりになる, 場違いである, ひどく目立つ.

Thumbs up ［down］！

((俗))うまいぞ, いいぞ［だめだ］.

turn thumbs up ［down］/turn up ［down］ the ［one's］ thumb(s)

（…に）賛成［反対］する, 満足［不満］の意を表す((to, on ...)).
▼ジェスチャーは片手の親指だけで行う.

twiddle ［twirl］ one's thumbs

（退屈で, 両手の4本の指を組んで）親指をくるくる回す；のらくらしている.

www.youtube.com

to twiddle your thumbs. phrase. If you say that someone is twiddling their thumbs, you mean that they do not have anything to do and are waiting for something to happen. The prospect of waiting around just twiddling his thumbs was appalling.

Thumb twiddling is an activity that is done with the hands of an individual whereby the fingers are interlocked and the thumbs circle around a common focal point, usually in the middle of the distance between the two thumbs.Wikipedia

While it is an expression of at least a moderate amount of manual dexterity, thumb twiddling is frequently used as an example of a useless, time-wasting activity. It has even been proposed as "the ultimate exercise for the bored and lazy".^[1]

under a person's thumb/under the thumb of a person

〈人の〉言いなりになって, 〈人に〉抑えられて.

━━[動](他)

1 〈本などを〉親指でめくってよごす［いためる］；〈本などを〉パラパラめくる, 親指で開ける；…にさっと目を通す((through))；…を反復して読む

thumb a magazine
雑誌を親指でパラパラめくる.

2 〈仕事などを〉不器用にやる；〈楽器を〉不器用に演奏する.

3 ((略式))〈ヒッチハイカーが〉〈車に〉親指をあげて乗せてもらう

thumb a ride ［((英))a lift］ to ...
…までヒッチハイクする.

4 〈物を〉親指で調べる［さわる, 押す］.

━━(自)

1 親指でページをめくる；（…に）さっと目を通す((through ...))

She thumbed quickly through the telephone book.
電話帳に急いで目を通した.

2 ヒッチハイクする.

［古英語thūma. -bはあとから加わった. ⇒LI

Under the thumb

more like this...

...other phrases about:

• The human body
• Conflict

Meaning

Completely under someone's control.

Origin

Few fields of endeavour have as much false etymology associated with them as falconry. 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' derives from hunting with birds of prey and this has seemingly led to a spate of supposed derivations along the same lines. 'Hoodwinked' is said to derive from putting a cloth cap over the eyes of a falcon to calm the bird by simulating nighttime and 'old codger' is said to derive from the carrier of the cadge or cage that held the birds. Neither of these has any basis in fact. We can add to the list 'under the thumb', which was recently presented on the BBC's Alan Titchmarsh Show as originating from the handler's use of his thumb to trap the bird in his hand when he didn't want it to fly. Again, that's pure flight of fancy.

Being 'under one's thumb' is just a figurative expression that alludes to being completely under another's control. The allusion was to a protagonist so powerful and a victim so insignificant that even the former's thumb was strong enough to control them. None of the early references relates to falconry, or to any other specific origin. The phrase was always used to refer to a powerful person, like a king or lord, exercising control over a subject. The earliest reference I can find to the expression in print is from the 18th century English politician Arthur Maynwaring in The Life and Posthumous Works of Arthur Maynwaring, 1715, which, as is strongly hinted at in the title, was printed after his death:

The French King having them under his Thumb, compell'd them to go at his Pace.

The phrase was well enough established by the 19th century for it to spawn the verb form 'thumbing'. This was defined in James Halliwell's Dictionary Of Archaic And Provincial Words, 1847, as:

Thumbing: A Nottingham phrase, used to describe that species of intimidation practised by masters on their servants when the latter are compelled to vote as their employers please.

'Under the thumb' is still used today with much the same meaning as when it was coined in the 18th century. It's not entirely clear what meaning Mick Jagger and Keith Richards had in mind when they wrote the eponymous 'Under My Thumb' in 1966, but it probably wasn't falconry.

See also:

Under your hat

Thumbs up