How to Sign "Dad" in American Sign Language (ASL)

In ASL, "dad" is signed by tapping your thumb against your forehead with your fingers spread open, like a salute. The sign came from the old days when fathers would always wear hats. This sign is exactly the same as the sign for "father" and belongs to a group of similar family signs. The spot where you make the sign on your forehead connects it to other male family member signs in ASL, and people use it everywhere from casual talks to formal events. This is one of the first signs that babies learn in ASL, right along with "mom," and while some places might do it a bit differently, most people across America use this version.