On the relevance of the cursing gesture.

[Tev]

So I was watching the Breakfast Club the other day and it struck me: when was the last time the middle finger held any cultural significance? It used to be everywhere in the 80's and growing up as a kid in the early 90's I most certainly remember it being the "end all" of obscene gestures.

So what happened? I dont really see it blurred out on my TV any more, slipping into my PG-13/R rated movies, or even really used colloquially among my friends. Hell, even the work "fuck" itself seems to be losing meaning from overuse as we move into adulthood and find a far more interesting litany of douche-nozzle son-of-a-cock trollop-spat words to express ourselves with.

Are there any new gestures taking its place? Have we lost that little bit of Americana to the annuls of history as we hunch beside our computers and type "fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff" as furiously as we can in hopes that the person on the other end can imagine us thrusting our finger to the heavens?

[Karrrrrrrrrrrresche]

Are there any new gestures taking its place? Have we lost that little bit of Americana to the annuls of history as we hunch beside our computers and type "fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff" as furiously as we can in hopes that the person on the other end can imagine us thrusting our finger to the heavens?

You know they had the same gesture meaning about the same thing in the Roman empire, right?

[Tev]

I'm quite aware of the various places and cultures it has come from. I'm just noting that I've not seen it in a while and wondered when it stopped mattering enough to use.

EDIT: More accurately, is "our" chapter of its history over?

[Bells]

_|_,ò_Ó,_|_ Fuck Yeah!

Also, in Web shows like Colbert Report and The Daily Show the middle finger still gets blurred out, and you can say Penis bur not Cock, unless you refer to the animal.

Moral guidelines are confusing......

[Azisien]

I still see the middle finger get pretty common usage on the road. It's easier since you can neither type nor talk to your fellow road-sharer.

[Melfice]

_|_,ò_Ó,_|_ Fuck Yeah!

Also, in Web shows like Colbert Report and The Daily Show the middle finger still gets blurred out, and you can say Penis bur not Cock, unless you refer to the animal.

Moral guidelines are confusing......

Is this appropriate here? I think it's appropriate. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_Nrp7cj_tM)

[Aldurin]

It will probably become illegal to do while driving since you have to take your hand off of the wheel. Kinda like how states are starting to ban cell phone use while driving.

[Amake]

I've always thought, in contrast to short wave radio that reaches virtually anywhere, can't anyone make some kind of long wave radio with a reach of 100 meters or less? People could have one in their car and be able to talk to other drivers who also have one, instead of relying on flashing, honking and middle fingering to communicate.

Although it might take a while for everyone to figure out you can use it for messages other than "get off the road you son of a bitch".

[POS Industries]

when was the last time the middle finger held any cultural significance?
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/stone-cold-steve-austin.jpg

[Osterbaum]

Kinda like how states are starting to ban cell phone use while driving.
Pardon me, but I'm inclined to say here that talking on your phone while driving is irresponsible and dangerous as hell.

[POS Industries]

Pardon me, but I'm inclined to say here that talking on your phone while driving is irresponsible and dangerous as hell.
It's also worth noting that laws against cell phone use while driving were put in place not because it required taking both hands off the wheel but because it distracted drivers to the point that they were dying in automobile accidents that they caused by not paying attention to the road.

Not to say that flipping someone off on the interstate can't get you killed either but not in the same manner.

[Tev]

stone-cold-steve-austin.jpg
That was the last time then? Stone Cold Steve? Does he even still wrestle?

[krogothwolf]

That was the last time then? Stone Cold Steve? Does he even still wrestle?

I take it you don't watch sporting events? You can catch players flipping each other the bird that isn't blurred out sometimes. Or fans in the stands doing that to the players.

[Aldurin]

Pardon me, but I'm inclined to say here that talking on your phone while driving is irresponsible and dangerous as hell.

Yes it is, so is looking away from the road to "signal" to somebody else.

[katiuska]

I've always thought, in contrast to short wave radio that reaches virtually anywhere, can't anyone make some kind of long wave radio with a reach of 100 meters or less? People could have one in their car and be able to talk to other drivers who also have one, instead of relying on flashing, honking and middle fingering to communicate.

Although it might take a while for everyone to figure out you can use it for messages other than "get off the road you son of a bitch".

You mean like CB radio? We have that, it's just mainly used by truckers to signal the presence of police and strip bars in the vicinity.

[Seil]

I still think flipping someone the bird (http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail24.html) has relevance. It is a symbol of disrespect that is instantly recognizable.

http://www.cad-comic.com/comics/cad/20090706.jpg

[synkr0nized]

So your "instantly recognizable" example is a terrible webcomic?

Or am I supposed to be flipping off my monitor right now at your post?





But, anyway, if you haven't been seeing the middle finger I don't know what you're doing or where you hang out. I still see it, use it, and laugh at it like always.

[Seil]

I've gone on record stating that I like CAD, but that's an argument for another time. My point was only to provide examples against Tev's most recent idea, like I always do. Or like I should start doing.

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Relevent: I was dancing in a Lisbon nightclub on Saturday and they were all fucks so I invented a dance that ended with me creatively giving pretty much everyone in the room the finger in different ways. And they clapped me for it. Foolish.

[Nique]

This is a Buckley joke. I forget if these are old hat now.

Only in the most astonishingly irritating way. But you don't have to be fashionable for us to love you, just... try not to embarrass yourself. :/

Seil! it was unfair of you to put synk in this position. Apologize and hug.

[Seil]

so I invented a dance that ended with me creatively giving pretty much everyone in the room the finger in different ways. And they clapped me for it. Foolish.

Why do I imagine that like the club in this video? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNm5drtAQXs)

[BitVyper]

It will probably become illegal to do while driving since you have to take your hand off of the wheel. Kinda like how states are starting to ban cell phone use while driving.

The flip-off is a legitimate hand signal, every bit as important as knowing your hand signals for turning and stopping.

Edit: If you have to take your focus off driving to flip someone off, you haven't got enough exprience yet. Next time you go out, I want you to get some practice in.

[Loyal]

Trufax: The sunroof was invented to better aid flipping off fellow drivers.

[Mike McC]

I use the middle finger whenever I see Tony Hayward appear on the television screen.Only in the most astonishingly irritating way. But you don't have to be fashionable for us to love you, just... try not to embarrass yourself. :/Nah, that's only Loss. In most cases. Buckley is, and will continue to be, fair game.

[Nique]

Buckley is, and will continue to be, fair game.

Mike you are so unhip it's a wonder your bum doesn't fall off.

[Mike McC]

Mike you are so unhip it's a wonder your bum doesn't fall off.My avatar proves otherwise. :crossarms:

[Funka Genocide]

I had this dude cut me off in traffic down in Vegas the other day, so I totally passed him while flipping him off.

I think I use it less now that I don't have to deal with teenagers (since I'm not one anymore.) but its still perfectly viable while driving.

And I really don't get that whole talking while driving thing. Texting while driving sure, but if you lack the wherewithal to carry on a coversation while driving then you probably don't belong behind the wheel.

Of course, I mean while using a headset or the speaker phone. You want both hands available just in case.

It's no different than having a passenger and chatting with them, or even blasting your music loudly. GPS systems are far more distracting.

[krogothwolf]

What you need to do is have an LED display on each side of the car and the hood, then a button on your steering wheel. When someone pisses you off, you hit the button and a LED middle finger will give everyone the bird!

[Sithdarth]

Just FYI I believe most states only banned texting and talking on the handset. Hands free sets are still totally cool. At least there where around here for awhile. Might have changed.

[Rejected Again]

Trufax: The sunroof was invented to better aid flipping off fellow drivers.

My new car has a sunroof for that exact reason.:cool:

And Krogo, I think a horn that is set to yell "FUCK YOU ASS HOLE" would be more effective.

[Magus]

Seems mostly used while driving, since people can't hear each other as well. The most memorable use in a movie is probably from Naked Gun (http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=C29-gLZLt9s&feature=related) (around 2:00). My driving instructor never told me all these important tips!

[bluestarultor]

I hold the opinion actions speak louder than words. Therefore, when I do use it, it holds that much more impact. My whole family is the same way, so if I'm bumping around with my brother and cousins, it makes using it in fun all the much funnier, or if there's a fight in the family, we know when we've stepped over the line.

When you save something instead of tossing it around, it means more.

[krogothwolf]

I have a problem, when I keep thinking of the middle finger, this image fills my head.

http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt343/dolguldur6/verne-troyer-mini-me-austin-powers-.jpg