Re: Thumbing
your nose
Posted by TheFallen on May 08, 2002
In Reply to: Re: Thumbing your nose posted
by James Briggs on May 08, 2002
: : I've used the expression "thumbing
your nose at someone" to mean a kind of contempt. When I looked in Phrase Finder
for confirmation it didn't seem to be included.
: : Any info anyone?
:
: Thanks, Rosieann
: Certainly in the part of London I grew up in in the 1930s
and 40s, 'thumbing your nose' was very popular with kids as a form of defiance
against almost anyone else - other kids, grown ups (you hoped you weren't indentified
while you were running away, which is what you always did if adults were involved!).
I don't know its origin but I guess pretty old, possibly centuries. It was almost
never used by adults and was regarded as childlike.
I'm under a similar impression
regarding the above, and believe it to be a now out-moded and almost certainly
entirely British childish insulting gesture. To effect it, simply hold your right
hand side-on to your face, with fingers extended upwards, place your thumb against
the tip of your nose, and then, facing your target, waggle your fingers. God alone
knows how it came about.
- To bite ones thumb Word Camel
05/08/02 (2)
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