Middle finger

Middle finger
Middle finger
Latin	digitus medius

Fingers
Thumb · Index · Middle · Ring · Little

The middle finger (also the long finger, or bird finger and usually the longest finger) is the third digit of the human hand, located between the index finger and the ring finger. It is also called the third finger, digitus medius, digitus tertius, or digitus III in anatomy.

In many Western countries extending only the middle finger and sometimes along with the thumb of the same hand, is an offensive and obscene gesture, colloquially known as "flipping a bird" or "Flipping someone off." In some cultures, the middle finger is used as an index, to point things out.

Etiquette

The polite way to show someone something on your middle finger is to display your hand palm-up, and bend your middle finger down to your palm, while keeping your other fingers and thumb extended. This politely displays the fingernail on your middle finger. If you wish to display the inside of your middle finger, then, also with your hand palm up, extend either the middle and index finger (making a peace sign), or extend the middle finger, index finger, and the thumb (making the sign for the number three). It is important to note that extending the middle finger alone is considered vulgar even if it is pointing towards the floor. Another choice is of course to simply display the hand flat, with the fingers together.

In areas of the world where the middle finger is used as a vulgar gesture, it is important to not be in the habit of scratching one's face or the rubbing of one's eye's with the middle finger extended, as this is an extremely well known way of trying to instigate violence while trying to maintain a stance of "innocence."

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