Flipping Off

A hand making a middle finger gesture.

Definition:

“Flipping off,” also known as “flipping the bird” or “giving the finger,” is a common obscene hand gesture used to express anger, disdain, or disrespect towards someone.

Etymology:

The exact origin of the gesture is unclear, but it has been used as a form of insult for centuries. Some trace its roots back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was referred to as the “digitus impudicus” or “indecent finger.”

Description:

The gesture is made by extending the middle finger upward while keeping the other fingers folded down against the palm. The back of the hand typically faces the recipient of the gesture.

The gesture is synonymous with the curse phrase “fuck you.”