Where and How did the upraised middle finger gesture evolve to be offensive?

Question

The upraised middle finger as the oldest offensive salute known to the world. I was wondering where and how did it evolve? Why did it become offensive? Who sanctioned the gesture, to be offensive?

Medic - Wow! I never thought of it that way, but come to think about it. Yeah! It does look that way now, doesn't it. In all these years i've never looked at that aspect of an explanation. I was laughing to myself, when i was thinking about what you said.

Answer 1

Not trying to Be offensive but I always thought that the gesture came from the visual representation of what it looked like. So that would be the middle finger raised with the fingers on either side partially raised, much like a penis with two testicles on either side, (i.e. F_ _ _ You). Again not trying to be offensive but I really think is the answer to you question.

Answer 2

The story I heard from a history prof., not sure if there is any fact what so ever in it but it makes a good story, is....

During the 100 years war between france and england, the bowman (men who shot bow and arrows) were the most effective and feared of the military. So when a bowman was captured the enemy cut of his index and middle fingers.

The offisive part came in that when that side won they would hold up these two fingers toward the enemy to essenitally say, "F*** YOU! we still have our fingers."

Of course, like the language, the grammar and the eittiquete this changed in america and we just went with the one.

Again, not sure if it is true but there you are!

Answer 3

The upraising middle finger - is a gesture consisting of a fist with the middle finger extended. It is culture specific and appears to be understood as " **** you " due to its resemblance to the penis. It is certainly thousands of years old, being referred to in Ancient Roman literature as the digitus infamis or digitus impudicus. Performing this gesture is also called "flipping the bird" in countries where "the finger" is used. In other regions, "flipping the bird" refers to the raising of the middle and index finger with the back of the hand directed at the recipient.

Easwary, I am sorry i have to answer like this to your question as this the correct answer, daughter !

Answer 4

if you point at something with it becuase they think it is the middle fingure, and oyou know it is more the longest fingure, you cna know someone is looking at what you are pointing at<

ten you both have to talk about that thing