What does it mean bite your thumb in romeo and Juliet?

Answer 1

The gesture is called a "fico" from the Italian word for a fig. It consists of making a fist with the thumb extended, which looks like a lump with a slightly bent long protruding thing. Yes, very much like the lump with a slightly bent long protruding thing you get when making a fist and extending the middle finger. And very much like another part of some people's anatomy. And also, according to the Italians, a fig.

To "bite your thumb" is to make the fico and then flick your thumb off your upper teeth towards whoever it is you want to insult. It means the same as showing someone your middle finger.

Now you know the origin of the expression "a fig for that!". Shakespeare uses this expression once or twice, noticeably by Pistol in Henry IV Part II near the end of the play: "When Pistol lies, do this; and fig me, like The bragging Spaniard." For some reason Pistol associates the fico with Spain not Italy, but you know what he's doing when he says "do this"!

Answer 2

It means to flip someone off