Troy Roidell writes in:

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Dear Mr. DB1,

My name is Troy and I'm a senior at Lake Crest High School. We're the Trojans. I think it's cool that my name is Troy and my high school mascot is a Trojan.

Anyway, I wanted to ask you a question to help with a report that I'm writing in my "Problems of the Modern World" class. It's my last major paper of the year and I need a decent grade. I'm allowed to ask an expert if I can't find enough written sources. So after googling for about 20 minutes I realized that I wasn't going to find the answer so I better ask you. Your web site came up first in every search that I did.

So, here is my question. What is the origin of the douchebag hand gestures? Is it some sort of secret code like gang bangers use? I really need some background on this. Maybe something on the most popular gestures and what they mean, too.

Thanks in advance. It would really be cool if your answer was right around a 1,500 words, too. But if it isn't, I understand.

Sincerely,
Troy Roidell
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The origin of the 'Bag Hand Gesture remains mysterious and elusive. Some posit it a cry for attention, a variant of the mating call in the animal kingdom. Like when Balisian rhesus monkeys fling poo, or Brazilian chipmunks whistle various 50 Cent ring tones to attract a mate.

Early historiographical theories explored the notion that 'Bag Hand Gestures (#001-#265) began in late 19th Century dance halls, when dock workers would signal to find out if a woman nearby was a "lady of the evening." Throughout much of the 20th Century these early primitive hand signs in proto-douchebags began to develop with increasing complexity, eventually reaching the broad and complex form of hand signal communicative linguistics we see today.

As to your essay, can't help with that, Troy. But I can make a kick-ass bitchin' "Westside" with my left hand.