What does this gesture mean? In Scott Turow's legal mystery _The Last Trial_ , the point of view character is an old man. Pinky is his grand-daughter. The following passage occurs near the end of the book: > Pinky says nothing to him [Lep], but instead strikes one index finger against the other, as if making fire. The gesture seems comical, but Lep stops cold when he takes in the fierce look Pinky is giving him. What is the meaning of this gesture? Is it something that only young people would be acquainted with?

As described, and being unfamiliar with the work in question, this would appear to the the North American finger gesture for 'shame'. per Wikipedia

> Shame is symbolized in North America by rubbing the back of one forefinger with the other forefinger

There are a number of similar gestures in different cultures, as illustrated in these two screenshots taken from Google Books

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