offensive gestures
Vulgar hand signs
Offensive gestures are physical signals—usually made with the hands—that convey insult, contempt, or hostility.
The middle finger is the most recognized in Western cultures, but gestures vary by region: a thumbs-up offends in parts of the Middle East, the "OK" sign insults in Brazil.
He made an offensive gesture at the driver who cut him off.
Context determines whether a gesture crosses from rude to genuinely provocative.
- rudeOffensively ill-mannered
- vulgarCrude or indecent
- insultOffensive remark or action
- middle fingerHand's central, longest digit
- give the fingerVulgar hand gesture
one finger salute · obscene · provocative · disrespectful · flip off · up yours · crude · hand signal · mocking · taunt · aggressive · contempt · sneer · spit · slap · throat slash · dismissive · wave off
offensive gesturesthumbs up
Gesture signaling approval
peace sign · air kisses · blowing kisses · hand over heart · hat tip
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