A short guide to Nicaraguan body language
One of the unique traits of Nicaraguan culture is the extent to which they use their hands to communicate. During his year in Nicaragua, Andreas observed many of these hand signs in use.

The signs are obviously not official sign language but are used to express visually what is difficult or socially uncomfortable to put into words. This includes signalling from across the street (e.g. come here), when in ear-shot of others (e.g. snob) or simply to emphasize something being said (e.g. fearful of someone).

Some are offensive so watch out when you chose to use them. At least, you'll be prepared when someone is talking about you!
 

Spanish	Significance in English	How to show it
Cortado	You've been dumped by your girlfriend	Scissors away from body
Pinche / codo	Tight fisted / cautious with money	Tap left elbow with right hand
Mala persona	Bad person	Spider, fingers balled, facing downwards
Culiera / miedo	To be fearful of something / someone	Fingers to thumb, upwards, circling into air
Otro dia / mañana	Another day, come back tomorrow	Left and right forefingers circling round each other into air
Urgente	Urgent, something to be done soon	Hit back of fingers with other hand
Persona rico	Rich person; "this much cash"	Thumb and forefinger held apart
Venga	Come here	Palm downwards, fingers wag towards body
Vayase	Go away	Palm downwards, fingers wag away from body
Comida	Food	Fingers and thumb together, to mouth
Pagar / la cuenta	To pay	Stroke left forefinger with right forefinger
La mitad	Half / half of something	Cut left forefinger with right forefinger
Necia	Snobby	Raise nose with right forefinger
Para	Stop / stay back	Open hand thrust away from body
Espera	Wait a moment	Open hand held downward away from body
Ladron	Thief	Raised hand, squeezing large invisible ball
Niño	Child	Palm held away from body, fingers curled, at height of child
Perro	Dog	Thumb & forefinger extended like upside down pistol, held low
No	No / not interested / don't do it	Wagging forefinger
Dame	Give me	Hand held out, palm upward
Cuidado	Watch out / keep an eye out	Forefinger pointing to eye
Castigar	Punish	Slap back of hand
Preso	Arrested	Grab left wrist with right hand
Cornuto	Wife is sleeping with other men	Horns of bull
Ocupado	Busy / "Up to my neck in work"	Flat hand held to neck
Loco	Crazy	Hands flapping at temples
Tomar	To drink (implicitly alcohol)	Thumb and little finger extended, lifting "bottle" to mouth
"Que pasa?"	"What's going on?"	Twitch nose and muscles around nose
Alli	Over there	Point with pouted lips
Casarse	Get married	Right hand fingers (downward) grab left hand fingers (upward)
Matar	Kill someone / to die	Thumb extended from fist, drawn across throat
Cepillo / sapo	Arse kisser	Scratch back of arm with straightened fingers
Dejar mal olor	To leave someone hanging	Forefinger extended, drawn under nose
Guatusero	Two-faced person	Thumb poked between middle and forefinger
Un momento	Give me a moment	Thumb and forefinger held a little apart
Terco	Hard person / stubborn	Fist
Flaco	Skinny	Little-finger held up, straight
Flaco	Skinny (as a beanpole)	Thumb & forefinger in ring, movement top to bottom