What's Up With 'Flipping The Finger" At People?

Question

I mean, you show me your middle finger it's supposed to infuriate me? How does that work? Is it socal conditioning or like Pavlov's dog? Most of us have middle fingers. What makes that gesture so obscene? I think the whole concept is kind of silly.

Yeah, I know it means F.U. but I want to know why and why does it supposed to automatically make someone angry. I mean, it's just a finger! It's not like someone pulling down their pants and showing their genitalia or "mooning".

Rose; If you don't know the answer then don't try to be condecending and asking ridiculous things like are you Borat just so you can suck two easy points.

Answer 1

I wonder who invented the finger..I mean, did he try other things before he chose the finger?
Was he like yelling "SUCK MY BACK, MAN! Alright? Suck my back!" ?

Answer 2

It's a cultural thing, somehow it came into wide usage--how, I don't know. But, in Europe, I hear the "OK" hand sign the astronauts use is an obscene gesture and they are not aware of that. The "OK" sign is the forefinger circling to touch the end of the thumb, and the other 3 fingers together, straight out.

Answer 3

I read somewhere that the gesture originated with British archers. In a battle with France, French soldiers threatened to cut off the middle fingers of captured Brits. Without the middle finger, it would be impossible for the prisoners to ever draw a bow again. While the British were outnumbered, they rallied and managed to defeat the French. To rub it in, they flaunted their middle fingers at the defeated army, who lost despite a huge advantage. But lots of different cultures use the middle finger. In S. America, the finger is held down, and the index and ring finger are bent at the second knuckles to resemble a penis and testicles. Wow. Culture is cool. BTW, the "ok" sign generally means "a$$hole", at least in Germany.

Answer 4

I think the reason people do this is because they are mad. It's a kind of innocent way to relieve yourself of stress when someone makes you mad. It's kind of mean but when you do it to someone who flips u off it make u fell betta

Answer 5

I think it was Forrest Gump that started it when Pres Kennedy ran out of Dr Pepper

: )~

Answer 6

I don't understand either why people do it. I just laugh at them and continue doing what I was doing. They tend to get even more mad but I still find it comical.

Answer 7

Personal responsibility is severely lacking and it is often a distraction from them being incorrect in their behaviour. this blame is them projecting their lack of personal responsibility externally.

Answer 8

and some grow up to be people like that.

Answer 9

I'm number 1? Gee.. thanks for the compliment!