History Main / FlippingtheBird

* The [[http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Angry_Marines Angry Marines]] (probably NSFW), one of the many ''Warhammer40000'' memes, do this all the time to everything and everyone. Just look at the first image.

-->''But not the index or pinkie''\\
-->''Or the ring or the thumb.''\\
-->''It's the one you put up''\\
-->''When you don't give a fuck''\\
-->''When you won't just put up''\\
-->''With the bullshit they pull''\\
-->''Cause they're full of shit, too!''\\

To flip one off is a massive insult in most of the Western World and earliest references of it go all the way to Ancient Roman writings. Often directed to those in authority in an act of defiance ''Flipping The Bird'' is an easy way to get across complicated emotions in one (mostly)universal motion. Also used occasionally by people who are being photographed against their will, and want to ensure the resulting image won't be publishable. Usually used toward another driver while at the wheel.

A known British variation of the gesture is the "two fingers", which is distinguished from the VSign by the palm facing ''away'' from the target (much as it does for the single finger). Notably seen being done by Spike in the BuffyTheVampireSlayer credits.

An oft-quoted, but untrue story about the origin of the gesture involves the French vs English in the 1415 Battle of Agincourt, where the French allegedly boasted to cut off the fingers of every English longbowman they captured. When the English soundly beat them, they held up their still-intact fingers at the French in defiance.

* In ''Film/{{Robocop}}'', Robo himself offers a version of The Finger when a technician insists that Robocop is not allowed in the computer records room. Granted, [[spoiler: it was only a data probe, but its position on Robocop's hand [[SoYeah gives it a dual-purpose role.]]]]

'Flipping the Bird' or 'the Finger' as it's otherwise known is the act of raising one's middle finger upwards while keeping the rest of the fingers curled tight into the palm of the hand. For added expression the participant should extend the arm to its full length and raise slightly above the shoulder line, perform this movement in a one sharp movement to add complete indignation to the questor.

Another popular style is the add of casually "flipping one off" with the minimum amount of effort, to perform this style curl the middle finger instead of holding it erect, allow other fingers to be limp (but maintain definition between them and the middle finger). Barely raise the arm up as if you were tired and hold for slightly longer than normal for full effect. This oddly enough does take more effort to perform.

* In ''The Hangover'', a little girl flips off Alan on the highway while the gang is on their way to Las Vegas.

--TheAngryVideoGameNerd, to [[ThatGuyWithTheGlasses The Nostalgia Critic]]

This also crops up in eastern countries, and while it retains the same basic connotations as the western version, it usually isn't considered as offensive, meaning that it's more likely to appear material for younger audiences.

* The film adaptation of ''MrBean'', the biker gave the titular character the bird while taking a picture of him and give him a thumbs up from the car. Unaware of the gesture, Mr. Bean gave everyone the bird he pass.

* On WABC-TV in New York, anchor Roger Grimsby introduced a live broadcast from reporter Mara Wolinsky. Mara had been getting trouble from the cameraman and flipped him off just as the live broadcast started. The camera quickly cut back to Grimsby, who said, "Apparently, Mara knows who's number one in New York."

'Flipping the Bird' or 'the Finger' as it's otherwise known is the act of raising one's middle finger upwards while keeping the rest of the fingers curled tight into the palm of the hand. For added expressiofn the participant should extend the arm to its full length and raise slightly above the shoulder line, perform this movement in a one sharp movement to add complete indignation to the questor.

Another popular style is the add of casually "flipping one off" with the minimum amount of effort, to preform this style curl the middle finger instead of holding it erect, allow other fingers to be limp (but maintain definition between them and the middle finger). Barely raise the arm up as if you were tired and hold for slightly longer than normal for full effect. This oddly enough does take more effort to perform.

To flip one off is a massive insult in most of the Western World and earliest references of it go all the way to Ancient Roman writings. Often directed to those in authority in an act of defiance ''Flipping The Bird'' is an easy way to get across complicated emotions in one universal(mostly) motion. Also used occasionally by people who are being photographed against their will, and want to ensure the resulting image won't be publishable. Usually used toward another driver while at the wheel.

* In "FruitsBasket", Haru does this to Kyo during their fight as he's saying "Go to hell!"
* In "Ouran High School Host Club", the Hitachiin brothers do this rather frequently.