Bretrick
Well-known Member
- Location
- Perth Western Australia
I was given "The Bird" today for sounding my car horn at a pedestrian who blindly walked onto the road in front of me whilst her head was down peering into her phone.
Ever get "The Finger" given to you for whatever?
- Thread starter Bretrick
- Start date
horseless carriage
Well-known Member
You don't need the finger when my wife is in the car. Last week an idiot came straight out of a side road without checking clearance, I braked hard and swerved to avoid collision, my wife's glare at the recalcitrant was such that, her glare at the foolhardy driver would have melted a polar ice cap!
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
yes...a female driver who cut right across me at a junction when she should have stopped... Couldn't believe she gave me the finger when she was in the wrong.. incredible...
PeppermintPatty
š¢. š³. š¢
- Location
- Canada
Yes but Iāve given the finger too.
Repondering
Well-known Member
- Location
- Nebraska, USA
I've been given the finger and I've given it myself.
I wonder where and how long ago the gesture originated?
I wonder where and how long ago the gesture originated?
jujube
SF VIP
Here's what I found: The origin of the gesture of giving the finger is not clear, but it probably came to the United States via Italian immigrants. The first documented appearance of the finger in the United States was in 1886, when Old Hoss Radbourn, a baseball pitcher for the Boston Beaneaters, was photographed giving it to a member of their rival the New York Giants.
Another site said it originated in Ancient Greece, where it represented the phallus.
Another site said it originated in Ancient Greece, where it represented the phallus.
papa tiger
Well-known Member
Girls were great back in High School. The finger was like a sign they liked me. Even the 3rd grade teacher wanted me.
You meant the curled index finger with the suggestive come to me motion, right?
You meant the curled index finger with the suggestive come to me motion, right?
jujube
SF VIP
Apparently the gesture was known in some quarters as "The Rockefeller Salute". Nelson Rockefeller, VP under Gerald Ford, reportedly lost his cool at a campaign event and was caught on camera shooting the bird at someone.
oldaunt
professional hermit
Several times. I always ask if that's their age or their IQ.
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
Oh, most probably! I don't remember it being done to my face, but little doubt behind my back.
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bobcat
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern Calif
No, but a picture is worth a thousand words.
DaveA
Senior Member
- Location
- Coastal Massachusetts, USA
OH NO, Patty. You're a lady and too nice and polite to do such a thing.
oscash
Senior Member
- Location
- Sydney - Australia
I've been given the finger by a group of young teenagers when they overtook my car in a small street. I just ignored them. When I pulled up alongside them at the next intersection, they looked quite sheepish as I stared at them.
jujube
SF VIP
My late husband used to joke that when he was giving obnoxious people an open-hand wave that he was giving them the "American Eagle Salute".....he said that was five times more powerful than "the bird".
PeppermintPatty
š¢. š³. š¢
- Location
- Canada
Sorry to disappoint you but I have my limits also.OH NO, Patty. You're a lady and too nice and polite to do such a thing.
officerripley
Well-known Member
- Location
- Porlock, Calif
IIRC, Dante Alighieri had the demons in The Inferno using it; it was first published in 1321.
fuzzybuddy
SF VIP
- Location
- The Sticks, Northeast PA.
Hmmmm. I can't remember the last time I got the finger- not that I didn't deserve it, just can't remember it.
I'm not coordinated. When I try to give the finger, I stick the wrong finger up. It's not effective when your "enemy" is laughing.
I'm not coordinated. When I try to give the finger, I stick the wrong finger up. It's not effective when your "enemy" is laughing.
dilettante
Well-known Member
- Location
- Michigan
It happens to me in here nearly every day. They think I can't see it.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
oh really ?... well hands up anyone whose surprised !
Don M.
SF VIP
- Location
- central Missouri
A person can hardly go/drive anywhere, anymore, without interacting with some clown that deserves the "finger". However, in todays world, it's better to just mumble something, and move on. A major share of the murders seem to start with a minor incident that quickly spirals out of control.
dilettante
Well-known Member
- Location
- Michigan
I'm glad I just grouse and grumble, as much as possible only to myself.
Today I was out doing a few chores then driving home. I'm at a red light and a Bozo driving one of those Big Tops comes up close behind me and then leans on the horn like I'm asleep or something. "Turn on red" is a thing here, but not when somebody is in the pedestrian crossing in a wheelchair in the misting rain. Jacked Up Jack (or Jill) wouldn't be able to see whether the crossing was clear or not.
I'm beginning to think truck sales lots are a form of IQ test.
JBR
Senior Member
Not a lot, but the most recent was a guy on a loud Harley, riding the rear bumper of my truck. This was on a local secondary highway, double line down the center. I was driving at the speed limit, he seemed to want to go faster. Gave me the finger and a scowl as he passed me. Oh well.
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