Eyelid pull

The eyelid pull is a gesture in which the finger is used to pull one lower eyelid further down, exposing more of the eyeball. This gesture has different meanings in different cultures, but in many cultures, particularly in the Mediterranean, signifies alertness, or a warning to be watchful.^[1][2][3] In the Italian language, one can say occhio (eye), not necessarily with the gesture, to signify the same.^[4]

Image of man making the "eyelid pull" hand gesture, published by Di Jorio in 1832 in Naples, Italy

In France, the gesture of pulling down one's lower eyelid and saying mon œil, or "my eye", is an expression of disdainful, dismissive disbelief.^[5] Similar variations of the gesture exist in other European countries, for example Poland^[6] or Turkey^{[citation needed]}. The phrase "my eye" is an outdated expression of disbelief in the English language, although without the gesture.^[7]

See also

• Akanbe