Crossword Genius

Spooner to notice climbers' gestures (1-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

v-signs

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'gestures' is the definition.
(V sign is an example)

'spooner to notice climbers'' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'notice' could be 'sign' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'sign' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for v-signs that I've seen before include "They display victory or contempt" , "With palms pointing outwards, they signal victory" , "They can signal victory or insult" , "Gestures of victory or insult" , "They show victory, or insult" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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