The finger is one of the most ancient insult gestures and was seen as phallic in meaning. In Ancient Greece it was known as the κατάπυγον (katapugon, from kata - κατά, "downwards" and pugē - πυγή, "rump, buttocks") and reference is made to using the finger in ancient Greek comedy to insult another person, where the term katapugon also meant "a male (or a female, katapugaina) who submits to anal penetration". In Ancient Roman writings it is identified as the digitus impudicus (impudent finger) and the widespread usage of the finger in many cultures is likely because of the geographical influence of the Roman Empire and Greco-Roman civilization. Another possible origin of this gesture can be found in the first-century Mediterranean world, where extending the finger was one of many methods used to divert the ever-present threat of the evil eye offense.
According to anthropologist Desmond Morris, the gesture probably came to the United States from Italian immigrants and is documented as early as 1886 when a baseball pitcher for the Boston Beaneaters was photographed giving it to a member of the rival New York Giants.[1]
When you plant ice you're going to harvest wind. - Robert Hunter
In the animal kingdom, one male overpowering another male of his species and exposing the male organ in the face establishes dominance (chimps). Males of other species display dominance by humping other males (dogs). These displays are always allowed in the pecking order, downward in dominance. Humans have substituted the finger gesture in place of overt genital displays of dominance.
The odd thing is that, now, human females try to display dominance.
