TIL the middle finger was used offensively from 423 BC

Flippin' the bird—emoji-style.

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People before 423 bc

👍
originally meant to threaten violent sexual penetration

Rougher times back then.
- what did you think "fuck you" actually meant
  
  I'm not a native speaker but always took it as short form for "go fuck yourself", not "I will fuck you".
  
  Speaking only for myself, I don't think I've ever intended "fuck you" to mean "I am literally going to fuck you violently with my penis." More like, "I strongly disapprove of your actions and perhaps even your character (but not enough to rape you, of course, that should go without saying)."
Was it used defensively by cavemen?
- I don't think we had caveman 2500 years ago
  
  I think we have many cavemen nowadays, so there were probably many 2500 years ago.
Hard to believe that in 500 years a 2500 year old hand gesture will change meaning.
To add to this I read years ago how the English phase "fuck you" got associated with the gesture. It comes The Hundred Years War between Britian and France and was originally "Pluck You!" but changed over time.

This was the first search result and shares the story well: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=PLUCK YOU
- TIL

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