# The Finger **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 24, 2001, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-finger/59295 "2001-03-24T08:10:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2001, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-finger/59295/1 "2001-03-24T08:10:35Z")
(I regret the profanities I’m about to utter, but I still think this is a debate, so here goes - you may move it at will, of course.) Some may argue that “f_ck you" is the strongest language one can speak, but I find that I can handle that just fine - it’s so overused it’s lost much of its punch (we even use it for comic reasons, which deflates some of its sting). However, I’ve noticed you can say "f_ck” as every fourth word when talking with someone, but give them the finger and they go ballistic. I personally find that to be _extremely_ inflammatory, leaving the “f” word in the dust. For example, if I were at an intersection where I cut someone off and they yelled, “F\*ck you!” at the red light next to me, it wouldn’t bother me. But if someone cuts me off and I give them the finger, they tail me. (This is just a scenario - it’s never actually happened.) So, which is worse - language (“F\*ck you!”) or hand signals (the finger)? Esprix ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2001, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-finger/59295/2 "2001-03-24T09:28:21Z")
The Finger. Why? 'Cuz “Fuck You” (why be so tame, 'Sprix?) is so overused (as you said) that it’s become limited in it’s meaning. Try this… say the word “Food” over and over. After twenty times or so, it should stop having any meaning at all. The Finger, by comparison, allows the receiver to automatically apply the worst insult they can imagine. Basically, “Fuck you” can’t be translated, but The Finger can… and the imagination plays horrible, horrible games with the possible insults… ---
**Author:** ![McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19adc/32.png) [@McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2001, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-finger/59295/3 "2001-03-24T10:31:26Z")
I’d go for the finger ---
**Author:** ![headshok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@headshok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/headshok)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2001, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-finger/59295/4 "2001-03-24T12:38:59Z")
I agree that the finger is probably more offensive, although I personally find giving someone a deep, from-the-belly “Fuck you!” more satisfying emotionally. ---
**Author:** ![Jeu\_D\_esprit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@Jeu\_D\_esprit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeu_D_esprit)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2001, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-finger/59295/5 "2001-03-24T14:04:59Z")
Well, I’m pretty good at tuning out someone talking (or yelling, or ranting…you get the picture), so curses like “Fuck you” generally don’t bother me. However, the idiot has to catch my attention to flash me “the Bird”, so I would have to go with the finger being more offensive. That being said, let me add this: If you eally want to get my goat, tighten my pucker or generally get me ready to fight…say the insult in a slow normal, or low, tone. Don’t know why, maybe there’s been a study, but using those tones get me going. Maybe it has to do with getting my attention, like the finger. Hmmmmmm… ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2001, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-finger/59295/6 "2001-03-24T14:32:44Z")
Depends on how either is presented. The dismissive finger is worse than the enraged finger, or the enraged scream of “FUCK YOU!!!”. The dismissive “fuck you.” is on about the same level as the dismissive finger. For instance. You have to pass some scmuck who thinks it’s fun to go 48 mph in the passing lane. Option one: start giving him the finger as you start to pass. Keep giving him the finger as you pass, shaking it and glaring at him for good measure, and keep giving it until you’re in front of him: the enraged finger. Easily dismissed with the phrase “What an asshole” However, same scenario, except that you flip the finger, casually, just as you’re pulling in front of the schmuck. Hold it there for a second or two, then ignore the schmuck: the dismissive finger. Much more irritating to get. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![mojo\_filter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@mojo\_filter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mojo_filter)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-finger/59295/7 "2001-03-25T00:36:29Z")
I have found, in my own fits of roadrage, that a dismissive “you f\*cking queer!” gets the most attention. disclaimer/ I have only tested this in Alabama and Georgia and the results are NOT scientific./disclaimer ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-finger/59295/8 "2001-03-25T01:14:50Z")
I suppose the addition of body language to the finger is also what counts. As someone said, the dismissive finger, accompanied by completely ignoring the person you’re giving it to, really sends the added message of, “Yeah, whatever, you fucking loser.” Hmmm… Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2001, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-finger/59295/9 "2001-03-25T01:16:16Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **mojo filter** _ > > I have found, in my own fits of roadrage, that a dismissive “you f\*cking queer!” gets the most attention. Well, it would certainly get _my_ attention, but I’d assume you were asking me out on a date… 😉 > [@](#): > > disclaimer/ I have only tested this in Alabama and Georgia and the results are NOT scientific./disclaimer Yes, I suppose “You fucking inbred cracker!” wouldn’t have the same effect… Esprix