Middle finger

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Middle finger
Hand - Middle finger.jpg
Middle finger of the left hand
Details
Artery Proper palmar digital arteries,
dorsal digital arteries
Vein Palmar digital veins, dorsal digital veins
Nerve Dorsal digital nerves of radial nerve, proper palmar digital nerves of median nerve
Identifiers
Latin digitus III manus, digitus medius manus, digitus tertius manus
TA98 A01.1.00.055
TA2 153
FMA 24947
Anatomical terminology

The middle finger, long finger, second finger, [1] [2] third finger, [3] toll finger or tall man is the third digit of the human hand, located between the index finger and the ring finger. It is typically the longest digit. In anatomy, it is also called the third finger, digitus medius, digitus tertius or digitus III.

Contents

Overview

In Western countries, extending the middle finger (either by itself, or along with the index finger in the United Kingdom: see V sign) is an offensive and obscene gesture, widely recognized as a form of insult, due to its resemblance of an erect penis. [4] [5] It is known, colloquially, as "flipping the bird", [6] "flipping (someone) off", or "giving (someone) the finger".

The middle finger is often used for finger snapping together with the thumb. [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finger</span> Organ of manipulation and sensation found in the hands of humans and other primates

A finger is a prominent digit on the forelimbs of most tetrapod vertebrate animals, especially those with prehensile extremities such as humans and other primates. Most tetrapods have five digits (pentadactyly), and short digits are typically referred to as toes, while those that are notably elongated are called fingers. In humans, the fingers are flexibly articulated and opposable, serving as an important organ of tactile sensation and fine movements, which are crucial to the dexterity of the hands and the ability to grasp and manipulate objects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The finger</span> Obscene hand gesture

In Western culture, "the finger", or the middle finger is an obscene hand gesture. The gesture communicates moderate to extreme contempt, and is roughly equivalent in meaning to "fuck you", "shove it up your ass/arse", "up yours", or "go fuck yourself". It is performed by showing the back of a hand that has only the middle finger extended upwards, though in some locales, the thumb is extended. Extending the finger is considered a symbol of contempt in several cultures, especially in the Western world. Many cultures use similar gestures to display their disrespect, although others use it to express pointing without intentional disrespect. The gesture is usually used to express contempt but can also be used humorously or playfully.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V sign</span> Hand sign (victory, peace or insult)

The V sign is a hand gesture in which the index and middle fingers are raised and parted to make a V shape while the other fingers are clenched. It has various meanings, depending on the circumstances and how it is presented.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ring finger</span> Third from the thumb finger of a human hand

The ring finger, third finger, fourth finger, leech finger, or annulary is the fourth digit of the human hand, located between the middle finger and the little finger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little finger</span> Smallest finger of the human hand

The little finger or pinkie, also known as the baby finger, fifth digit, or pinky finger, is the most ulnar and smallest digit of the human hand, and next to the ring finger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Index finger</span> Second finger of the human hand

The index finger is the second digit of a human hand. It is located between the thumb and the middle finger. It is usually the most dextrous and sensitive digit of the hand, though not the longest. It is shorter than the middle finger, and may be shorter or longer than the ring finger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digitigrade</span> Standing or walking on digits/toes; animals which do so

In terrestrial vertebrates, digitigrade locomotion is walking or running on the toes. A digitigrade animal is one that stands or walks with its toes (phalanges) on the ground, and the rest of its foot lifted. Digitigrades include birds, cats, dogs, and many other mammals, but not plantigrades or unguligrades. Digitigrades generally move more quickly than other animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finger (unit)</span> Width of knuckle of middle finger

A finger is any of several units of measurement that are approximately the width of an adult human finger. [Exactly which part of the finger should be used is not defined; the width at the base of fingernail is typically less than that at the knuckle (#5).]

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The sign of the horns is a hand gesture with a variety of meanings and uses in various cultures. It is formed by extending the index and little fingers while holding the middle and ring fingers down with the thumb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fingering (sexual act)</span> Use of fingers to sexually stimulate

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taunting</span> Battle cry, sarcastic remark, gesture, or insult

A taunt is a battle cry, sarcastic remark, gesture, or insult intended to demoralize or antagonize the recipient. Taunting can exist as a form of social competition to gain control of the target's cultural capital. In sociological theory, the control of the three social capitals is used to produce an advantage in the social hierarchy, to enforce one's position in relation to others. This can also be used as a tactic to gain advantage of their opponent's irrational reaction. Taunting is committed by either directly or indirectly encouraging others to taunt the target. The target may give a response in kind to maintain status, as in fighting words and trash-talk.

<i>Fuck</i> English-language profanity

Fuck is an English-language profanity which often refers to the act of sexual intercourse, but is also commonly used as an intensifier or to convey disdain. While its origin is obscure, it is usually considered to be first attested to around 1475. In modern usage, the term fuck and its derivatives are used as a noun, a verb, an adjective, an interjection or an adverb. There are many common phrases that employ the word as well as compounds that incorporate it, such as motherfucker and fuck off.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finger snapping</span> Auditory hand action

Snapping one's fingers is the act of creating a snapping or clicking sound with one's fingers. Primarily, this is done by building tension between the thumb and another finger and then moving the other finger forcefully downward, so it hits the palm of the same hand at a high speed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hand</span> Extremity at the end of an arm or forelimb

A hand is a prehensile, multi-fingered appendage located at the end of the forearm or forelimb of primates such as humans, chimpanzees, monkeys, and lemurs. A few other vertebrates such as the koala are often described as having "hands" instead of paws on their front limbs. The raccoon is usually described as having "hands" though opposable thumbs are lacking.

An obscene gesture is a movement or position of the body, especially of the hands or arms, that is considered exceedingly offensive or vulgar in some particular cultures. Such gestures are often sexually suggestive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle Finger (song)</span> 2012 single by Cobra Starship featuring Mac Miller

"Middle Finger" is a song by American synthpop band Cobra Starship. The track was written and produced by Norwegian production team Stargate and features Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller. It was released as the third promotional single from their fourth studio album, "Night Shades" and later as the second official single.

Ira P. Robbins is Distinguished Professor of Law and Barnard T. Welsh Scholar at American University Washington College of Law, where he specializes in criminal law.

The first finger is an ambiguous term in the English language due to two competing finger numbering systems that can be used. It might refer to either the thumb or the index finger, depending on the context. The second finger is another ambiguous term in English. It might refer to either the index finger or the middle finger, also dependent on context. The same can be said for the third finger ; and the fourth finger. The fifth finger will exclusively refer to the pinky,.

References

  1. "middle finger". www.vocabulary.com.
  2. "middle finger". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  3. "third finger". Medical Dictionary. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  4. "When did the middle finger become offensive?". BBC News. 6 February 2012.
  5. "The shock index: is giving the finger still offensive?". The Guardian . 22 February 2012.
  6. Jason Joseph, Rick Joseph (2007). 101 Ways to Flip the Bird. Broadway Books. ISBN   978-0-7679-2681-2.
  7. Acharya, Raghav; Challita, Elio J.; Ilton, Mark; Saad Bhamla, M. (November 2021). "The ultrafast snap of a finger is mediated by skin friction". Journal of the Royal Society Interface. 18 (184). doi:10.1098/rsif.2021.0672. PMC   8596009 . PMID   34784775.