The Ultimate Guide to Flipping the Finger with Style

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Plus, learn where the finger comes from—it’s older than you think!
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Flipping someone off is a classic nonverbal signal for showing anger and frustration toward a person. You might "flip the bird" to someone who has cut you off, insulted you, or otherwise provoked your ire. At its simplest, flipping someone off is just pointedly displaying your middle finger in their direction. [1] More advanced techniques take on an element of comedy or performance art. Remember: when you flip someone off, you are calling him or her out – so use with caution, or be prepared for the consequences!

Most Creative Way to Flip Someone Off

Try giving someone the triple middle finger for the ultimate burn. Spread your fingers in both hands (palms facing you) and overlap your left pinky and ring finger behind your right ring finger. Curl all of your fingers in except both middle fingers and your right ring finger, which makes the middle “third” finger.

Section 1 of 5:

Basic Flip-Off Moves

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  1. There is a simple straightforwardness to the classic "flip-off." Turn the back of your fist toward someone, as though you are shaking a fist at them. Then, extend your middle finger. Hold the pose and look the person in the eye. This is a quick and easy way to get the point across.
    • Wave your finger around for emphasis. Hold it out firmly and emphatically to make sure that you get the point across.
    • For a more "edgy" and carefree gesture, extend your thumb to the side instead of tucking it behind your hand.
  2. For added effect, whip out the "double-finger" flip-off. [2] Flip the person off with both middle fingers at the same time to show them that you are unusually angry.
    • Or, do "the X": Cross your middle fingers into an "X," and then hold them against your chest facing the offender.
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  3. For a somewhat more dynamic insult, flash your left and right middle fingers at the person in rapid succession. Or, keep both middle fingers extended and wave them around for emphasis.
    • Or, flip someone off with one hand and bump your fists together side-by-side. When you bump, switch your raised middle finger to the other hand. Keep bumping it back and forth.
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Section 2 of 5:

Discreet Flip-Off Moves

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  1. Reach up to your face as though you are going to itch your nose, eyebrow, mouth, or anywhere on your face. [3] Look in the direction of the person that you want to flip off. Then, use your middle finger to scratch while staring pointedly. [4]
    • Or, if you’re wearing glasses, you can use your middle finger to push the bridge (between the lenses) upward and act innocently as if you're just adjusting your glasses.
    • The person that you are flipping off might not notice this move. However, it might give other onlookers a laugh.
  2. Grab a water bottle, soda can, or other drink in one hand and lift it up to your mouth with your knuckles facing the person you want to flip off. As you drink (or pretend to), raise your middle finger at them.
    • If they notice and you want to add some insult to injury, let out a loud, satisfied “Ah” sound, like you’ve just chugged a cold glass of water on a hot day.
  3. You might feel a bit better simply by releasing your anger somehow, even if the person in question doesn't actually see you. Consider whether you want to provoke a confrontation, or just get your feelings out.
    • If someone provokes or insults you, it’s usually best to walk away, but you can subtly give them the middle finger as you do it, too.
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Section 3 of 5:

Theatrical Flip-Off Moves

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  1. Hold your fist out in front of you, knuckles facing the offender, but do not raise your middle finger yet. Then, make a fist with the other hand, and crank it in circles next to the first hand as though you are winding up an old-timey jack-in-the-box toy. As you crank, hum "Pop Goes the Weasel," the tune traditionally associated with jack-in-the-boxes. Hum and crank faster and faster as you approach the end of the tune. Then, at the final "pop" of "Pop Goes the Weasel," extend your middle finger as though it is the jack popping out of the box. Finish humming the tune while flipping the person off.
    • Make sure that you have the person's undivided attention. This move takes a bit of time to pull off, and you want to make sure to get the full effect.
  2. Hold your fist in front of your face and put the tip of your thumb in your mouth. Act as though you are blowing up a balloon: "blow" into your thumb and slowly extend all of your fingers as though your breath is inflating them. [5] Then, hold your middle finger of the "balloon hand" with your other hand, and move the thumb away from your mouth. Slowly close the other fingers on your "balloon hand" until only your middle finger is left pointing at the person whom you want to flip off.
  3. Act as though you are looking for something in your pocket, between the couch cushions, in your purse, or in a desk drawer—anywhere works! Make sure that you get the person's attention. Then, make a show of being relieved that you have found the thing you're looking for. Turn to show the person what you found and flip them off!
    • Alternately, lean down in front of the person as though you are picking something up off of the ground. Come up flashing your middle finger, and say, "Did you drop this?" [6]
  4. Blow on your thumb while pretending to play the trumpet, and flail your fingers as though you are hitting the valves. [7] Periodically hold up only your middle finger. Add some musical effects like humming or buzzing your lips for style!
  5. Extend the middle fingers of both hands. Then, bring your arms behind your back and through your legs. This should leave you with both middle fingers clearly presented (having long arms or being flexible helps with this!).
  6. Spread your fingers apart on both hands and turn them so your palms are facing you. Place your right hand over your left so that your right ring finger is between your left ring finger and left pinky. Fold your left ring finger and pinky down around the base of your right ring finger, then fold in both thumbs, both pointer fingers, and your right pinky. [8]
    • This leaves both of your real middle fingers up, plus your right ring finger between them which looks like a third “middle finger.”
    • This is great for when someone returns your middle finger with two middle fingers and you need a way to one-up them.
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Section 4 of 5:

What does flipping the finger mean?

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  1. The way you curl your hand into a fist and direct the finger at someone shows rebelliousness and possibly even aggression. [9] Basically, it’s a nonverbal way to say something like “F*ck you” or “Go f*ck yourself” to someone who’s really made you angry. It’s definitely considered a very rude gesture, so use it sparingly!
Section 5 of 5:

Where did “the finger” come from?

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  1. Back then, the middle finger represented the male genitalia. One early reference comes from the playwright Aristophanes in 419 BC. In The Clouds , a character makes vulgar, rhythmic gestures with his middle finger before doing the same with his crotch. [10]
    • The ancient Romans also used the middle finger and called it the digitus impudicus (the shameless or offensive finger).
    • The middle finger probably came to the US with Italian immigrants in the late 19th century. An early photo from 1886 shows Boston pitcher “Old Hoss” Charles Radbourn flipping off the New York Giants in a joint team photo.
    • While the middle finger originally symbolized a phallus, it gradually expanded to be an overall symbol for protest, rage, or even excitement like we know it today.
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    What if they have a reverse card?
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    You pull out another reverse card and reverse the reverse.
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    Can you suck your middle finger as an insult?
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    Yes, as it can indicate that you're telling someone to "suck it." Suck it is a rude sentence that may offend people, so try not use it too often or around sensitive people.
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    Will I get in trouble if I flip off my pet hamster?
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    If a parent sees you, maybe, or if a sibling sees you and tells a parent. But a hamster doesn't know what human hand gestures mean, so he/she will not be upset about it.
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      Tips

      • Learn how to flip people off around the world! Every culture has its own particular nonverbal signals for displaying extreme frustration. [11]
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      • For a very provocative motion, shout curses at the person as you flip them off.
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      • Hold your middle finger firmly, for emphasis, and maintain a stern facial expression.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Another silly move is to act like your middle finger is your chapstick. Pull your "chapstick" out of your pocket, take the imaginary cap off, rub your finger over your lips, put the cap back on, then put it back in your pocket.
      • Chant "here's my pinky, here's my thumb, here's my peace sign minus one" and follow the corresponding gestures: show your pinky, then your thumb, flash a peace sign, and then give them the bird.
      • For a more obnoxious flip off, pretend to pick your nose with your middle finger, then remove it from your nostril. Hold it in front of the other person and announce "Your dignity."
      • Use your middle finger as your index finger and point to lots of things around you. It's a clever way to constantly be in flipping off mode!
      • Pretend that your middle finger is a mirror, and act like you're fixing your hair or makeup.
      • Act like you're drinking tea, but hold up your middle finger instead of your pinky.
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      Warnings

      • Flipping someone off is a provocative and reactionary move. Sometimes, the motion is warranted, but be prepared for the consequences. You might seriously offend someone.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/flip-off
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/KIPQD_OYBkU?t=16
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/KIPQD_OYBkU?t=4
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/KIPQD_OYBkU?t=4
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/KIPQD_OYBkU?t=65
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/qQro96Qutt8?t=1
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/KIPQD_OYBkU?t=25
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz48TpZONG0&t=19s
      9. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/middle-finger
      1. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16916263
      2. ↑ https://www.shermanstravel.com/advice/18-gestures-that-can-cause-offense-around-the-world

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