what is the origin of 'the finger'?

Question

or 'the bird' so to speak

umbra, nooooo! but im laughing anyway :D

umbra, nooooo! but im laughing anyway :D

Answer 1

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.

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. 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.

Answer 2

Not quite an expert here, but I think more importantly you should be more curious about the thumb. The oppossible thumb is a hallmark of bipedalism, found mostly in primates and an evolutionary catalyst that propelled humans forward to the niche we now fill in nature. If you're wondering about fingers, I would look at the fins of fish, the ceolocanth (sp?) in particular.

Oh wait, were you talking about the middle "finger"? Not quite an expert here, but according to the Necronomicon, that hand symbol is, "Ye Sign of Kish." (Used to, "breaketh down all barriers and openeth ye portals of ye Ultimate Planes.")

Answer 3

I don't remember what war it was, but there was a war between the french and british where the british cut off the middle fingers of the prisoners that were captured so they could not shoot. When the french won the battle, they all stuck up their middle fingers at the british. That is where it came from origionally.

Answer 4

The history or the discover channel has a show about it ...old guy from italy...davinci or some one. When he died someone cut off his finger for the ring and the finger is still preserved today.. but I believe the bird is am american tradition.

Answer 5

Pwahahahha sorry I don't know but umbra is hilarious LOL

Answer 6

Ahh don't ya love Wikipedia, The answer I am familer with is Michelle's.

Answer 7

Wait, are you saying you want to finger a bird, your a sick persone lol

Answer 8

It means "F you" because that is the finger that you would use to do it. Yucky huh?