Friday, April 29, 2011

Flash 55 - Fingering

“giving the finger, the highway salute, reading between the lines, digitus impudicus, flying the bird, flipping someone off, poking in the evil eye, the middle finger”

The Roman Empire’s contribution and legacy is a never-ending influence to our culture of fingering our unvocalized emotions.

Be sure to show your support for tradition and history, today.




This gesture came to life as a way of warding off the evil eye and was spread throughout the Roman Empire by its many Legions.


Write a story in exactly 55 words.



Merry Meet and Blessed Be




18 comments:

  1. I just read 3 different sites debunking the Roman Empire archer story. One states that the finger is mentioned in literature -- a play by Aristopanes -- written circa 440 b.c.

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  2. Brilliant ... I do love an interesting fact :o)

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  3. hehe..i will try to find one worthy of the salute...considering i will be chaperoning 90 kindergarteners to the zoo today i am sure i will have opportunity...smiles.

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  4. The things one can learn in just 55 words. Thank you for the lesson! :o)

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  5. And I thought the only thing they gave us was a thumb. Looks like we got a whole hand full of Roman salutes.

    - Alice

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  6. See? Now I have an excuse for that friendly, neighborly wave I offer to motorists who try to run me over when I'm cycling. I'm just honoring history, honest-to-crap :)

    Good one, Nessa.

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  7. Vanessa Kilmer...
    Now I have to REresearch this story because I thought that it originated in Europe between English LongBowman and the French.
    But I love all things Roman so this story Rocked!
    Loved your 55...
    Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End

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  8. I show my support as often as possible!

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  9. I love supporting time tested traditions!

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  10. Oh, that's funny! And effective...

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  11. Huh, who knew it actually is for safety? :-)

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  12. It sounds like you have your finger on all the facts. :)

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