Signal

noun SIG-nal ˈsɪɡnal

Also spelled signal di plane, signal

A hand gesture used in the dancehall to show approval and hype for a tune — most famously 'signal di plane', where the crowd raises and waves their arms overhead like guiding in an aeroplane. Giving a 'signal' is a salute of respect and excitement for the music.

  • Wen di tune buss, everybody signal di plane.

    When the tune dropped, everyone raised their arms to salute it.

  • Gi di selecta a signal fi dat one.

    Give the selector a hand-salute for that one.

  • Di whole dance a signal.

    The whole party is throwing up the hand salute.

From 'signal' (a gesture/sign); in dancehall the raised-arm 'signal di plane' salute became a standard sign of crowd approval.

A dancehall crowd gesture of approval; 'signal di plane' is the classic arms-overhead salute.