The History of the Middle Hand Appendage

Everyone knows what it means but hardly anybody knows why. How did one finger become so powerful in human culture? Today it seems almost silly but its amazing once you learn that the most common gesture in college party pictures dates back over 2,000 years. The basis for modern day Science wasn't the only thing the greeks were providing a foundation for.

Warning: the following website contains no profanity except for an outstretched appendage which has ponderously obtained a profane meaning throughout the ages.
The History of "The Finger"

Interesting read. As one could assume, it was frowned upon heavily by the church and was actually legally described as an obscene gesture in america up until the mid 70's (whether that came with a fine or actual jail-time, one can only speculate). It makes you wonder if societies have really changed that much over the milleniums.

I've always heard the variations of the longbow legends concerning the empires of yore (France, England or Spain depending on the version you hear). Apparently those are just urban legends and it may infact be a behavior we've inherited from our great ape ancestors. The most well known gesture across the world might infact predate humanity. Who would've thought?

[edit on 26-6-2009 by Eitimzevinten]