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(Redirected from The Finger)
In Western cultures, 'the finger' (as in 'giving someone the finger') is a well-known obscene hand gesture made by extending the middle finger of the hand while bending the other fingers into the palm. A known variation includes extending the thumb as well. A variation of the gesture is made by showing someone the back of the hand, with three fingers extended, and telling the recipient to "read between the lines". Another variation includes folding the ring and index fingers alongside the middle finger.
The gesture is also known as the "bird", the "highway salute", "concert C", and "flipping/flicking someone off". The gesture is mostly used as a non-verbal way of saying "Fuck you". When both hands are used, it is known as the "double-barrel salute," the "double deuce," or the "dirty double."
In the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, the V sign serves a similar purpose (primarily "Fuck off"), whilst "the bird" is more often used for "up yours", "swivel on it" or "sit and swivel on it".
The origin of this gesture is highly speculative, but is quite possibly thousands of years old. It is identified as the ''digitus impudicus'' ("impudent finger") in Ancient Roman writings[1] and reference is made to using the finger in the Ancient Greek comedy ''The Clouds'' by Aristophanes. It was defined there as a gesture intended to insult another. The widespread usage of the finger in many cultures is likely due to the geographical influence of the Roman Empire and Greco-Roman civilization.
Another possible origin of this gesture can be found in the first-century Mediterranean world, where extending the ''digitus impudicus'' was one of many methods used to divert the ever present threat of the evil eye.[2]
There is a popular story about English bowmen waving fingers at the French knights who did not manage to cut them off during the Hundred Years' War. However, this is a confusion with the origins of the V sign, which are themselves in question.[3]
Another possible origin is the phallic imagery of the raised middle finger (the middle finger being the longest finger on the human hand), similar to the Italian version of the bent elbow insult. Also, there is a variation of the finger where it can be done by performing The Fangul, by sticking out the finger during the throwing motion.
★ In 1968, captured crewmembers of the ''USS Pueblo'' (AGER-2) used a discreet version of the finger as a covert signal of "obscene derisiveness and contempt" (quoted from a newspaper caption) in propaganda photos taken by their North Korean captors.[4] The gesture was explained to the North Koreans as 'the Hawaiian Good Luck sign'.
★ In Canada, showing the middle finger is sometimes called the "Trudeau salute" (or "Salmon Arm salute") after Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, because of a famous photo of him giving the finger to protesters in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. He had also used the gesture in the Canadian House of Commons. Prior to becoming Premier of Alberta, the then-Environment minister Ralph Klein was caught on camera giving the finger to a protester during a 1990 meeting about a contentious pulp mill project.[5]
★ On July 9, 2003, Wong Yi Wang (Chinese: 黃宜弘), a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, was seen giving the finger to protestors as he left the Legislative Council building.[6][7]
★ In 2003, the influential newsmagazine ''The Economist'' featured an illustration of a cactus tree shaped as if giving the finger on the cover of its September 20 issue. The illustration reflected the cover story, on the outcome of the Cancún ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization.[8]
★ In some subcultures in the United States, it is known as the "one-fingered victory salute", which gained popularity after this video appeared on the Internet in October 2004, showing George W. Bush, at the time of the film the Governor of Texas, using the gesture while engaging in horseplay before beginning the filming of a public address.
★ In November 2004 President Bush visited Canada on his first official visit. As his motorcade made its way from the airport to downtown Ottawa he was greeted by many waves and signs. Some were excitedly welcoming him, others were telling him to leave. In addition to those giving waves of greeting, some people were giving him the finger. Bush responded to this saying, "I want to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave - with all five fingers - for their hospitality."[9]
★ On February 2, 2007, Mirek Topolánek, prime minister of the Czech republic, gave the finger to left-wing deputies in the Czech parliament [10] and later explained the gesture to the media and the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic as a friendly gesture towards Miroslav Kalousek, one of his cabinet ministers.
★ In British military spoof marching, commands such as "Left burn" instruct the troops to give the finger to the person or people on their left.
★ On the June 1974 (issue #166) of MAD magazine, the cover is nothing but a hand giving the finger with the caption, ''The Number One Ecch Magazine'', many stores refused to sell the issue making it a rare collectors item.
★ In the popular comedy show South Park, a fourth grader with a bad reputation known as Craig has a bad habit of showing the finger.
★ On the show Aqua Teen Hunger Force the Mooninites are known for giving the finger "as hard as they can"
★ The United States FCC has banned display of this gesture on broadcast television as an obscenity. As a result, the gesture is often censored, and airbrushed out or replaced with large-pixel blocks. An example of this is in the Weird Al video "Amish Paradise" in time with the lyrics "an Amish with a 'tude, you know that's unheard of". This gesture occurs frequently on television shows like ''The Jerry Springer Show'' or on music videos shown on MTV and VH1. Rick Baker in a gorilla suit has been shown giving the finger uncensored in television broadcasts of ''The Incredible Shrinking Woman''.
★ Comedian Jackie Mason was accused of giving Ed Sullivan the finger during a live 1964 telecast of Sullivan's variety show, a charge Mason vehemently denied.
★ Comedian Dane Cook has a routine called the ''Super Finger''.
★ In the game Fable, the player character can use the gesture, if his alignment is evil enough.
★ In the popular sitcom Friends, one of the lead characters, Ross Geller, invented a way to give the finger without actually giving it, by pounding his fists together at the insulted person.
★ In Baldo comic strip from October 26th, 2004, the main character rides in his father's car and flips off driver behind them who was tailgating them, claiming "that's the international sign for 'back off'". However, his finger gesture wasn't seen (it was sheltered by text balloon).
★ During a 1972 Monday Night Football game in Houston's Astrodome, a fan gave ABC cameras the finger when he was spotted alone in his seat. The fan's ill will was no doubt exacerbated by the fact the Houston Oilers suffered a 34-0 defeat to the Oakland Raiders that night.
★ Former professional wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin would often use the finger.
★ Tom Petty inexplicably flipped off the camera during his performance at the Live Aid famine relief concert at JFK stadium in 1985.
★ The 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam features the phrase "Flip them the bird" as part of an English class lesson plan.
★ During the 2006 NFC Championship three Bears fans gave the finger to the camera as it did a wide shot of the crowd at Soldier Field.
★ In an episode of the HBO comedy ''Flight of the Conchords'' Bret and Jermaine's friend Dave (Arj Barker) teaches them how to give the finger to a street vendor who is harrassing them. This is shown through a montage.
1. Adams, Cecil. "What's the origin of 'the finger'?" ''Straight Dope'', 4 September 1998
2. Malina, Bruce J., ''The New Testament World: Insights from Cultural Anthropology, 3rd Ed.'', (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001)
3. Mikkelson, Barbara. "Pluck Yew", Snopes.com, 29 September 1999
4. Russell, Stu. "The Digit Affair"
5. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061030/klein_quotes_061030/20061031/
6. Apple Daily, July 10, 2003
7. TVB noon news, July 10, 2003
8. Issue Cover for September 20, 2003, economist.com
9. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1101820453372_40/?hub=TopStories
10. http://www.blesk.cz/Clanek69122.htm
SUperFInger, a more offensive version of the finger invented by comedian Dane Cook.
★ Excerpts from the book, ''The Finger: A Comprehensive Guide to Flipping Off''
★ Perception
★ Truth about the Finger
The finger.
In Western cultures, 'the finger' (as in 'giving someone the finger') is a well-known obscene hand gesture made by extending the middle finger of the hand while bending the other fingers into the palm. A known variation includes extending the thumb as well. A variation of the gesture is made by showing someone the back of the hand, with three fingers extended, and telling the recipient to "read between the lines". Another variation includes folding the ring and index fingers alongside the middle finger.
The gesture is also known as the "bird", the "highway salute", "concert C", and "flipping/flicking someone off". The gesture is mostly used as a non-verbal way of saying "Fuck you". When both hands are used, it is known as the "double-barrel salute," the "double deuce," or the "dirty double."
In the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, the V sign serves a similar purpose (primarily "Fuck off"), whilst "the bird" is more often used for "up yours", "swivel on it" or "sit and swivel on it".
| Contents |
| Origin |
| Famous examples |
| In politics |
| In popular culture |
| References |
| See also |
| External links |
Origin
The origin of this gesture is highly speculative, but is quite possibly thousands of years old. It is identified as the ''digitus impudicus'' ("impudent finger") in Ancient Roman writings[1] and reference is made to using the finger in the Ancient Greek comedy ''The Clouds'' by Aristophanes. It was defined there as a gesture intended to insult another. The widespread usage of the finger in many cultures is likely due to the geographical influence of the Roman Empire and Greco-Roman civilization.
Another possible origin of this gesture can be found in the first-century Mediterranean world, where extending the ''digitus impudicus'' was one of many methods used to divert the ever present threat of the evil eye.[2]
There is a popular story about English bowmen waving fingers at the French knights who did not manage to cut them off during the Hundred Years' War. However, this is a confusion with the origins of the V sign, which are themselves in question.[3]
Another possible origin is the phallic imagery of the raised middle finger (the middle finger being the longest finger on the human hand), similar to the Italian version of the bent elbow insult. Also, there is a variation of the finger where it can be done by performing The Fangul, by sticking out the finger during the throwing motion.
Famous examples
In politics
★ In 1968, captured crewmembers of the ''USS Pueblo'' (AGER-2) used a discreet version of the finger as a covert signal of "obscene derisiveness and contempt" (quoted from a newspaper caption) in propaganda photos taken by their North Korean captors.[4] The gesture was explained to the North Koreans as 'the Hawaiian Good Luck sign'.
★ In Canada, showing the middle finger is sometimes called the "Trudeau salute" (or "Salmon Arm salute") after Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, because of a famous photo of him giving the finger to protesters in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. He had also used the gesture in the Canadian House of Commons. Prior to becoming Premier of Alberta, the then-Environment minister Ralph Klein was caught on camera giving the finger to a protester during a 1990 meeting about a contentious pulp mill project.[5]
★ On July 9, 2003, Wong Yi Wang (Chinese: 黃宜弘), a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, was seen giving the finger to protestors as he left the Legislative Council building.[6][7]
★ In 2003, the influential newsmagazine ''The Economist'' featured an illustration of a cactus tree shaped as if giving the finger on the cover of its September 20 issue. The illustration reflected the cover story, on the outcome of the Cancún ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization.[8]
★ In some subcultures in the United States, it is known as the "one-fingered victory salute", which gained popularity after this video appeared on the Internet in October 2004, showing George W. Bush, at the time of the film the Governor of Texas, using the gesture while engaging in horseplay before beginning the filming of a public address.
★ In November 2004 President Bush visited Canada on his first official visit. As his motorcade made its way from the airport to downtown Ottawa he was greeted by many waves and signs. Some were excitedly welcoming him, others were telling him to leave. In addition to those giving waves of greeting, some people were giving him the finger. Bush responded to this saying, "I want to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave - with all five fingers - for their hospitality."[9]
★ On February 2, 2007, Mirek Topolánek, prime minister of the Czech republic, gave the finger to left-wing deputies in the Czech parliament [10] and later explained the gesture to the media and the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic as a friendly gesture towards Miroslav Kalousek, one of his cabinet ministers.
★ In British military spoof marching, commands such as "Left burn" instruct the troops to give the finger to the person or people on their left.
In popular culture
★ On the June 1974 (issue #166) of MAD magazine, the cover is nothing but a hand giving the finger with the caption, ''The Number One Ecch Magazine'', many stores refused to sell the issue making it a rare collectors item.
★ In the popular comedy show South Park, a fourth grader with a bad reputation known as Craig has a bad habit of showing the finger.
★ On the show Aqua Teen Hunger Force the Mooninites are known for giving the finger "as hard as they can"
★ The United States FCC has banned display of this gesture on broadcast television as an obscenity. As a result, the gesture is often censored, and airbrushed out or replaced with large-pixel blocks. An example of this is in the Weird Al video "Amish Paradise" in time with the lyrics "an Amish with a 'tude, you know that's unheard of". This gesture occurs frequently on television shows like ''The Jerry Springer Show'' or on music videos shown on MTV and VH1. Rick Baker in a gorilla suit has been shown giving the finger uncensored in television broadcasts of ''The Incredible Shrinking Woman''.
★ Comedian Jackie Mason was accused of giving Ed Sullivan the finger during a live 1964 telecast of Sullivan's variety show, a charge Mason vehemently denied.
★ Comedian Dane Cook has a routine called the ''Super Finger''.
★ In the game Fable, the player character can use the gesture, if his alignment is evil enough.
★ In the popular sitcom Friends, one of the lead characters, Ross Geller, invented a way to give the finger without actually giving it, by pounding his fists together at the insulted person.
★ In Baldo comic strip from October 26th, 2004, the main character rides in his father's car and flips off driver behind them who was tailgating them, claiming "that's the international sign for 'back off'". However, his finger gesture wasn't seen (it was sheltered by text balloon).
★ During a 1972 Monday Night Football game in Houston's Astrodome, a fan gave ABC cameras the finger when he was spotted alone in his seat. The fan's ill will was no doubt exacerbated by the fact the Houston Oilers suffered a 34-0 defeat to the Oakland Raiders that night.
★ Former professional wrestler "Stone Cold" Steve Austin would often use the finger.
★ Tom Petty inexplicably flipped off the camera during his performance at the Live Aid famine relief concert at JFK stadium in 1985.
★ The 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam features the phrase "Flip them the bird" as part of an English class lesson plan.
★ During the 2006 NFC Championship three Bears fans gave the finger to the camera as it did a wide shot of the crowd at Soldier Field.
★ In an episode of the HBO comedy ''Flight of the Conchords'' Bret and Jermaine's friend Dave (Arj Barker) teaches them how to give the finger to a street vendor who is harrassing them. This is shown through a montage.
References
1. Adams, Cecil. "What's the origin of 'the finger'?" ''Straight Dope'', 4 September 1998
2. Malina, Bruce J., ''The New Testament World: Insights from Cultural Anthropology, 3rd Ed.'', (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001)
3. Mikkelson, Barbara. "Pluck Yew", Snopes.com, 29 September 1999
4. Russell, Stu. "The Digit Affair"
5. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061030/klein_quotes_061030/20061031/
6. Apple Daily, July 10, 2003
7. TVB noon news, July 10, 2003
8. Issue Cover for September 20, 2003, economist.com
9. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1101820453372_40/?hub=TopStories
10. http://www.blesk.cz/Clanek69122.htm
See also
SUperFInger, a more offensive version of the finger invented by comedian Dane Cook.
External links
★ Excerpts from the book, ''The Finger: A Comprehensive Guide to Flipping Off''
★ Perception
★ Truth about the Finger
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psst.. try this: add to faves
