This gesture is used to convey a message to the other person, often in a slang and rude way. There is no definitive information on exactly where and when the middle finger gesture originated, but some theories and historians have speculated about its origin.
According to one theory, this gesture dates back to the Roman Empire. During gladiatorial fights, spectators would raise the fingers on their hands to determine the life or death of the surviving gladiator. The meaning of this gesture may have changed over time and turned into a negative expression.
Another theory dates back to Greece. It is known that in ancient times, enemy soldiers captured in war were punished by cutting off their fingers. The raising of the middle finger can be considered as an indication of the finger cut off in this punishment.
In its modern day meaning, the middle finger gesture as a swear word may have originated in the United States. During the ’Wild West“ period that emerged in the American West in the mid-1800s, there are some reports of the gesture being used to insult or threaten in confrontational situations. It also became widespread in American youth culture in the 1960s as part of political protests.
However, there is no precise information about the exact origin of the middle finger gesture, which expresses profanity, and there are many speculations about it. The fact that the gesture has taken on different meanings in different cultures throughout history suggests that historically it has had different uses in various periods. Remember that abusive gestures or the use of vulgar language are socially frowned upon and respectful communication is always preferable.