An obscene finger gesture is a unique hand movement used when one wishes to express hate, anger or overall discord with another individual. It has also been referred to as flipping the bird, or giving one the middle finger. It is executed by closing the hand into a fist and positioning it vertically with the knuckles facing the intended target and the middle finger extended outward. It is considered a vulgar gesture and is not one that is used in polite company.
Examples[]
In the 1986 film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Admiral James T. Kirk, in present-day Earth, asks a punker on a bus to turn down his loud radio. The punker replies by extending Kirk the middle finger right at a point where the crooner on the radio shouts the words, "Screw you!" very loudly. Kirk's comrade, Captain Spock responded with a unique hand gesture of his own, the Vulcan nerve pinch, which rendered the punker unconscious. His head slammed down on his radio, inadvertently shutting it off.
The obscene finger gesture was also seen in the 1999 cyberpunk film The Matrix. Early in the film, computer hacker Thomas Anderson, aka, Neo, is captured by a man named Smith, whom he mistakenly believes to be a Federal agent. Under interrogation, Neo acts flippant towards his captor and gives him the middle finger, arguing that he is aware of his rights and that their "Gestapo" tactics will be ineffective against him.
Appearances[]
- Ash vs Evil Dead: Last Call - Brock Williams gives Ash the finger after beating him on a mechanical bull contest.
- Avengers: Infinity War - Star-Lord give Thanos the finger. And lives! Not many can say that.
- Child's Play 2
- Child's Play 3
- Preacher: Sokosha - A passenger in a moving truck gives Jesse Custer the middle finger after Jesse tries to get his attention.
- Seed of Chucky - Chucky flips the bird.
- Walking Dead: Swear - Tara Chambler gives Rachel the middle finger after Rachel spits on the ground to show her dislike of Tara.
- Walking Dead: Something They Need - Tara Chambler gives Rachel the middle finger a second time, much like she did in "Swear".
- Walking Dead: The First Day of the Rest of Your Life - Negan flips the bird to the Alexandrians as they drive off.
See also[]
- Appearances of obscene finger gestures