surfsteve wrote:cactuspete wrote:When did the middle finger become offensive?
I didn't realize that this gesture has been around for so long. I just assumed it was a modern invention.
Ancient Greek philosophers, Latin poets hoping to sell copies of their works, soldiers, athletes and pop stars, school children, peevish policemen and skittish network executives have all been aware of the gesture's particular power to insult and enflame. "It's one of the most ancient insult gestures known," says anthropologist Desmond Morris. "The middle finger is the penis and the curled fingers on either side are the testicles. By doing it, you are offering someone a phallic gesture. It is saying, 'this is a phallus' that you're offering to people, which is a very primeval display."
LINK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16916263
I get it...lol
Perhaps it's a subliminal expression indicating that I have passive-aggressive tendencies?!!