Where did the middle finger come from?

Question

Where did the middle finger come from?

Answer 1

As a few people have already said.

The English Long-Bowman were very deadly, so when captured they French would cut off their middle and index finger. So if the French saw the English they would show their index and middle to the English to mock them, basically "Ha! Ha! We have our fingers and you don't."

It was eventually simplified through history into only the middle finger.

I actually learned this in history class.

Answer 2

In middle ages the long bow was invented. It was an incredibly deadly tool that the English used on the French. To fire it you had to hold on to the string using your middle finger. When french soldiers took english prisoners they would cut off their middle finger so that they couldn't use the devastating long bow. The English started flipping off French soldiers as a mockery of them.

Answer 3

No idea. I don't believe in it though, it's still another finger as the others on our hands.

I'll stick that badboy up whenever I want too.

Answer 4

chuck norris

Answer 5

i know how it started but just cant explain it in words sorry

Answer 6

its just an insult in America;in Australia the thumbs up is the equivalent of the middle finger. Its supposed to mean "***** you" like a p***s i guess. a pretty small p***s ew

Answer 7

Your hands duh!!

Just joking.

I wonder the samething too.

Answer 8

It came from the old Portugese gesture...known as the midora destructura.

It was given to the sea captains who did not perform well during their missions at sea.

It usually meant harsh penalties for those receiving it.

Answer 9

The original purpose of the middle finger was to keep the index and ring fingers from fighting all the time.

And then with the invention of the automobile it became an invaluable driving tool.

Answer 10

It's the third finger from the thumb, or the third finger from the pinky, thus it's why it's in the middle!

Answer 11

i am assuming your talkin about it used rudely, and in that case it would be sign languae

Answer 12

your hand.

Answer 13

I thought God invented the middle finger.

(Well, He did!)

Answer 14

the same place the rest came from.....your mother

Answer 15

HAHAHAHA, Chuck Norris...That made my day

Answer 16

During the Hundred Years' War (1337 to 1453 ), English soldiers captured by the French would have their middle fingers cut off so that they could no longer shoot a bow and arrow. So, later, during the Battle of Agincourt, the English would raise their intact middle fingers to show the French that they could still shoot their arrows, and kick some @ss, as well.

There are many explanations but that one’s my Favorite.

Answer 17

during the war between England and France (one of many, i'm not sure which), captured archers would have their middle fingers cut off to prevent them from being able to draw a bow.  while marching onto the battle field the French archers would raise their middle fingers to the English in a defiant mockery of them, signifying that they had their middle fingers and arrows would most definitely fly.

Answer 18

well i wonder the same thing too i geuss some person must have been like SUCK MY BACK then that didnt work so hes like what smore offenseive o ya here look at my finger ya take that look at it

   idk i got that oof of dane cook

Answer 19

http://www.ooze.com/finger/html/history....

that link explains everything.

Hope I helped :)

Answer 20

In some ancient cultures(greeks,romans and egyptians I believe) they believed that the middle finger was the direct line to your genitals. So when they showed you the middle finger,it was in refrence to their privates, hence; go get fxcked was born with the waving of that finger. Because that is what you do with that part of your body. Just like the ring finger is the one connected to the heart. That's why we wear wedding rings on the heart finger.

Answer 21

I guess...the finger came from England by the ship called May Flower.