how did the use of the middle finger become bad?

Question

who created it? Why? Who was the first person to consider it bad?

Answer 1

During the Hundred Years War, The English had the powerful longbow, which they used to defeat the French. So, whenever the French captured Englishmen, they would cut off their middle fingers so it would be impossible for them to use the longbow. Longbows were made of yew wood. So, in the Battle of Agincourt, when English archers totally defeated the French army, they waved their middle fingers at what was left of the French and shouted:"See, we can still pluck yew! PLUCK YEW! This later became the famous insult known today as the f-word or the bird.

Answer 2

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 western culture, extending the middle finger is, more often than not, construed as offensive, because it symbolizes a human penis.[

Answer 3

The origin of this gesture is highly speculative, but is quite possibly up to 2,500 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.

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.[2]

Another possible origin is the phallic imagery of the raised middle finger, similar to the Italian version of the bent elbow insult.

Answer 4

Well, in Japan, raising the middle finger meant power, for instance, if you were saying, "The almighty is watching us.." then you could raise your middle finger. I guess since Japan is an opposite of USA (I'm just guessing) it'll be the opposite..

Opposite of power.. Weakness.. Iunno..

Or im guessing, one day, an idiot gangster decided to make the middle finger a bad thing, and told all his friends, who told their friends, who told their friends, etc. XD

I'm not sure really, maybe try an answer website.

Answer 5

Which finger looks most like a phallus? What do your ring and index fingers look like when you are giving someone the finger?

Answer 6

We have evidence of its use back to greek times, which mean it could go back even farther

Answer 7

That is a good question...I have often wondered that myslef...I am putting this on my watchlist to see what people have to say

Answer 8

That is a really good Q. But sorry i don't know the A
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...........

Answer 9

it's bad?