"i bite my thumb at you"
my friend used that phrase and i dont know what it means so do any of you guys know what it means?
2007-02-19 09:01:34 · 14 answers · asked by nikki_t2 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Hey,
When you put your thumb against your first two teeth and and push it out quickly in a forward motion it usually means f*** you or, as the Italians say "fongoo!" Shakespeare has said "I bite my thumb at them, to disgrace them if they bear it" in 'Romeo & Juliet'. I haven't heard that phrase in a loooong time!!
2007-02-19 09:09:03 · answer #1 · answered by Me, Thrice-Baked 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is a phrase used in Romeo and Juliet. Biting your thumb at someone is an insult to them. It shows disrespect and your defiance of their authority.
2007-02-19 17:10:02 · answer #2 · answered by Samantha 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've also heard it used as "I thumb my nose at you" used with the thumb leading from the nose with the fingers extended and waggling.. then moving the thumb in a forward motion. I believe it's intended as an insult or mockery, an ancient lewd hand gesture.
2007-02-19 18:23:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This phrase is from Romeo and Juliet. It refers to the gesture which is the old school way of flicking someone off(you know fliping the bird, etc)
2007-02-19 17:11:23 · answer #4 · answered by Monique K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Italy, I believe it may still be an insult. It's like flipping you the bird, but with a more 'Godfather' feel to it. Although I'd do it with a laugh.
Peace
2007-02-19 17:11:03 · answer #5 · answered by zingis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's like an insult. Kind of like greek people just give you the hand and that's supposed to be really insulting like you ain't S**t.
2007-02-19 17:18:06 · answer #6 · answered by welly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a quote from some crappy shakeaspear play, and it was like giving someone the middle finger
2007-02-19 17:09:13 · answer #7 · answered by Chris Q 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better to use that expression than the one from Monty Python's
Holy Grail: "I fart in your general direction." Both convey that someone is unhappy with you.
2007-02-19 17:11:41 · answer #8 · answered by Bruce H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that means to say that she really finds you really cute , exciting, and maybe she's got the fetish for you lol.
Shakespearean idiomatic expression.
2007-02-19 18:10:05 · answer #9 · answered by oscar c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's from romeo and juliet. shakespeare made a lot of things up...
-haley
2007-02-19 17:09:48 · answer #10 · answered by haleysname 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋