On a scale of 1 to 5, how offensive is the middle finger? (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 weeks ago by Tudsamfa@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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My Opinion

I've been a bit confused why I see videos with that gesture censored, I feel like that rarely happened in the media I consumed a decade ago. However, I believe this "phenomenon" is older than TikTok and its weird censorship.

I'd place giving the finger at a high 2, low 3 on offensiveness, definitely nowhere near gesticulated sexual acts. You can give a child shit for using it, but the occasional finger is something I'd expect from even a teenager.

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[-] shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee 4 points 2 weeks ago

That depends. The reason the gesture exists is because people in antiquity caught on to the fact a raised middle finger looks like a full wang and balls, and so it became a sign of contempt and later something people could insult each other with. Which is funny because, if my younger self is anything to go by, I'd much rather moon someone. On the one hand, a middle finger carries a storm of testy implications, but on the other hand, it's not a very elaborated-upon visual. So maybe a three.

this post was submitted on 07 Nov 2024

52 points (96.4% liked)

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