How in the world did the middle finger come to be so widely recognized?

Why the middle finger? It's just a finger, nothing more. Maybe a bit longer and more useful for reaching that last cookie in the jar, but still, why should the middle finger be associated with the f word?

What if the middle finger were to be associated with a friendly greeting? Like, Hi! and sticks up the middle finger. It wouldn't be so offensive then, would it? (Not that I'd recommend using the middle finger as a greeting, of course. :D )

In a travel book i read, it went over the different fingers and how they'r used all around the world. Different fingers mean different things in different cultures. Thumbs up in Greece (i think) is even more insulting than the middle finger, whistling in Japan is like cursing...etc, etc. I could check in the travel book if you want, though i'll have to get back to you later with it.

emptying your plate in some cultures is polite, in some not. (means that you had enough/ there wasn't really enough food)

Belching and farting after dinner are considered polite in some cultures.

Putting your thumb between your middle and pointing finger will tell a child you catched its nose. It will get you slapped by a mature female though.

Conclusion: you can't catch mature girls noses.

Life ain't fair :)

I know that sticking 2 fingers up comes from years and years ago. I think it was during medieval times when the english caught the french (i think) archers they used to cut their 2 fingers off so they couldnt shoot anymore. The 2 fingered salute was showing them that u still had yours and so became an insult. Not sure about the 1 fingered salute though. It could be a simliar thing though.

maybe a pointed middle finger resembles male genitals.

Like some cactusses do.

Oh god...

As Seinfeld once said, instead of sticking up your finger, stick up a toe.

It requires so much more effort, you have to go down, undo your laces, get out your foot, take off your sock, try to get your foot to a good height then wiggle it. Much more insulting I think

lol! @ everyone's responses :D :D

Hey NenarTronian, what's the name of the book? I wouldn't want to trouble you to read it, then type it all out again. :)


maybe a pointed middle finger resembles male genitals.
Yeah, I was thinking something along those lines, because it makes sense to relate to the "f" word...I don't know if I should explain my theory though, because it sounds too dirty. :D


Thumbs up in Greece (i think) is even more insulting than the middle finger, whistling in Japan is like cursing...etc,
Also, spitting on newly wedded couples is good luck in Greece. :eek: Holding the thumb and pinky finger out is "radical" to some, but in Spain (or something), it is a curse, probably because it resembles the bull's horns.
Something funny: in my grade 9 French book, there's a country where nodding means no and shaking your head means yes. :D


I know that sticking 2 fingers up comes from years and years ago. I think it was during medieval times when the english caught the french (i think) archers they used to cut their 2 fingers off so they couldnt shoot anymore. The 2 fingered salute was showing them that u still had yours and so became an insult.
Hey, that's really cool!

It's amazing, how gestures can speak so much. Like the Hitler salute, the forefinger+pinky "Devil" combination, and of course, the V sign, for victory/peace. The OK sign, the hand symbol for gun, all of them are worth a thousand words.

*lol* my friend and I made up new signs, where a backwards atom bomb explosion becomes "Up Yours", and 2 arms on top of each other, then lifting the top one becomes "Shush Up". :D

Originally posted by p_ete2001
I know that sticking 2 fingers up comes from years and years ago. I think it was during medieval times when the english caught the french (i think) archers they used to cut their 2 fingers off so they couldnt shoot anymore. The 2 fingered salute was showing them that u still had yours and so became an insult. Not sure about the 1 fingered salute though. It could be a simliar thing though.

Very close. The English longbowmen were extraordinarily deadly, and the French used to cut off their two fingers. The English were so nuts on archery training for the general public that for a short time about 800 years ago it was illegal to do any sport other than archery.

2 arms on top of each other, then lifting the top one becomes "Shush Up".

I am so using that *yoink*

Originally posted by %BlueSoulRobot%

Also, spitting on newly wedded couples is good luck in Greece.

Well whenever i get married it sure as hell ain't gonna be in Greece then

The English were so nuts on archery training for the general public that for a short time about 800 years ago it was illegal to do any sport other than archery.
Eep. Any sport other than archery, eh? Whoa, that's harsh.


I am so using that *yoink*
:D :D Yess, my creationss are sspreading! Bwahaha!

Originally posted by Bachus
Well whenever i get married it sure as hell ain't gonna be in Greece then
lol! Me neither. :D

"Incoming!"
*whips open umbrella*

:D

May as well just pull down your pants an moon the target person.

I always just assumed it was because the middle finger was the longest. All the better to fuck you with.

May as well just pull down your pants an moon the target person.
Or hey, you never know, maybe showing someone your bum is a sign of respect in some country. :D Like clinking your glass against the host's, perhaps it shows you trust them enough to expose your bottom.


I always just assumed it was because the middle finger was the longest. All the better to fuck you with.
Yeah, I was thinking that too. But then why's sex called "f***ing"? :confused: