Themiddle finger,long finger,second finger,[1][2]third finger,[3]tall finger ortall man[citation needed] is the third digit of thehumanhand, typically located between theindex finger and thering finger. It is typically the longest digit. Inanatomy, it is also calledthe third finger,digitus medius,digitus tertius ordigitus III.
A medieval coat of arms with an extended middle finger
In Western countries,extending the middle finger (either by itself, or along with theindex finger in the United Kingdom: seeV sign) is an offensive and obscene gesture, widely recognized as a form of insult, due to its resemblance of anerectpenis.[4][5] It is known, colloquially, as "flipping the bird",[6] "flipping (someone) off", or "giving (someone) the finger".
The middle finger is often used forfinger snapping together with the thumb.[7]
