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| What’s in a wink? Lessons from Clinton, Corbyn and Rihanna | What’s in a wink? Lessons from Clinton, Corbyn and Rihanna |
| (7 months later) | |
| Following Ian Paisley Jr’s gesture at Theresa May in parliament this week, we look at the many forms of this expression – and who can pull them off | |
| Emine Saner | |
| Tue 27 Jun 2017 17.17 BST | |
| Last modified on Sat 25 Nov 2017 02.42 GMT | |
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| It is true that there are many winkers in politics. The DUP’s Ian Paisley Jr, for one, appeared to wink at Theresa May [subscription] in the House of Commons on Monday as the Tories’ deal with the unionist party was outlined. Winking is a risky move – the response can range from warm solidarity to outright contempt. Even when the intentions of a wink are good, being a bit creeped-out is entirely acceptable. “A wink can have multiple meanings,” says Peter Bull, honorary professor at the University of Salford and an expert on communication. Here, then, is a guide. | It is true that there are many winkers in politics. The DUP’s Ian Paisley Jr, for one, appeared to wink at Theresa May [subscription] in the House of Commons on Monday as the Tories’ deal with the unionist party was outlined. Winking is a risky move – the response can range from warm solidarity to outright contempt. Even when the intentions of a wink are good, being a bit creeped-out is entirely acceptable. “A wink can have multiple meanings,” says Peter Bull, honorary professor at the University of Salford and an expert on communication. Here, then, is a guide. |
| The cheeky wink | The cheeky wink |
| George W Bush liked these. He would wink his way through his addresses and once winked at the Queen after stumbling on the words of his speech and suggesting the monarch had been around in the 18th century. US Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez gave the judges a little wink before the start of her routine for the team final. Both are winks that affably puncture deference. Bull says a wink can be “a collusion between the winker and the person being winked at. It invites private understanding between two people”. However, it is also visible to others and so not exclusionary, making it “largely a friendly gesture”. | George W Bush liked these. He would wink his way through his addresses and once winked at the Queen after stumbling on the words of his speech and suggesting the monarch had been around in the 18th century. US Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez gave the judges a little wink before the start of her routine for the team final. Both are winks that affably puncture deference. Bull says a wink can be “a collusion between the winker and the person being winked at. It invites private understanding between two people”. However, it is also visible to others and so not exclusionary, making it “largely a friendly gesture”. |
| The sleazy wink | The sleazy wink |
| Tony Abbott, at the time the prime minister of Australia, was filmed giving a wink and smirking while on a radio show when a 67-year-old woman called in to say she had taken a job on an adult sex line to pay medical bills. In the fallout that followed, he was called a “total creep” and “sleazy, slimy”. | Tony Abbott, at the time the prime minister of Australia, was filmed giving a wink and smirking while on a radio show when a 67-year-old woman called in to say she had taken a job on an adult sex line to pay medical bills. In the fallout that followed, he was called a “total creep” and “sleazy, slimy”. |
| The sexy wink | The sexy wink |
| “Obviously, [a wink] can have sexual connotations as well,” says Bull. According to Match.com, the winky face is the most-used emoji in text messages. | “Obviously, [a wink] can have sexual connotations as well,” says Bull. According to Match.com, the winky face is the most-used emoji in text messages. |
| The menacing wink | The menacing wink |
| See Donald Trump. He may be trying to convey humour, but he looks as though he is ordering a minion to carry out a hit. | See Donald Trump. He may be trying to convey humour, but he looks as though he is ordering a minion to carry out a hit. |
| The comradely wink | The comradely wink |
| Jeremy Corbyn is a prolific winker. He winked at presenter Alex Jones during his One Show appearance before the election. At the state opening of parliament when Corbyn – in accordance with protocol – didn’t bow to the Queen, some seized upon a wink he gave as evidence of a snub by the republican. The gesture could easily be considered a friendly greeting, though. Barack Obama was good at these. See also Hillary Clinton’s consoling wink to Obama at Trump’s inauguration. “It might be a comforting thing,” says Bull. “Say you are at a party, you see someone who looks a bit miserable and you want to comfort them – you might wink. It’s like a pat on the back. A friendly thing to do.” | Jeremy Corbyn is a prolific winker. He winked at presenter Alex Jones during his One Show appearance before the election. At the state opening of parliament when Corbyn – in accordance with protocol – didn’t bow to the Queen, some seized upon a wink he gave as evidence of a snub by the republican. The gesture could easily be considered a friendly greeting, though. Barack Obama was good at these. See also Hillary Clinton’s consoling wink to Obama at Trump’s inauguration. “It might be a comforting thing,” says Bull. “Say you are at a party, you see someone who looks a bit miserable and you want to comfort them – you might wink. It’s like a pat on the back. A friendly thing to do.” |
| The almost-wink | The almost-wink |
| Rihanna famously (in certain internet circles, at least) can’t wink. The intended meaning is “sexy and cheeky”; the effect is “eye infection”. | Rihanna famously (in certain internet circles, at least) can’t wink. The intended meaning is “sexy and cheeky”; the effect is “eye infection”. |
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