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Flipping the bird

Posted by Masakim on January 08, 2002

In Reply to: Flipping the bird posted by ESC on January 08, 2002

: : Where does the phrase "flipping someone the bird" come from?

: I couldn't find anything on the use of "bird" for finger in this phrase.

FYI

Then he shot me a bird -- flipped me the old one-fingered international salute. (_The New York Times Magazine_, Nov 22, 1970)

They flip him the bird, and he lets them pass. (Lucas et al., _American Graffiti_, 1973)

She'll never forget seeing her son flipping the bird in front of 40,000 people. (Lyle et al., _Bronx Zoo_, 1978)

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