Is it illegal to 'flip the birdie' to someone in the UK?

Question

In this case the plaintiff approaches the accused persons car door in a road rage incident with a clenched fist and snarling face, cursing at the accused. The accused person gets scared, locks his door and winds up his window before flipping the birdie. The plaintiff then responds by asking the accused to get out (in an ungentlemanly manner) knocking hard on the window as if trying to smash it, and then attempting to open the drivers door before realising it is locked.

Update:

'Flip the birdie' is a hand signal by extending the middle finger upwards, roughly equivalent to saying 'f*** off!'.

Update 2:

@ Alan T - just out of interest, under what law is it illegal to flip the birdie to a policeman but not a 'normal' person?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

What you describe would amount to an offence under s4 of the Public Order Act: threatening, abusive words or behaviour, on the part of the 'plaintiff' as you call them. This offence is triable either way (meaning that it can be tried in magistrates' court or crown court). The penalty in magistrates' would likely be a fine or community penalty. It is unlikely that the police would take any action against the accused.

John · Answer

I have never heard anybody in the UK use the expression "flip the birdie"

Anonymous · Answer

What does 'flip the birdie' mean?

Alan T · Answer

It's not illegal to stick your middle finger up at someone (unless it's a policeman, they don't take kindly to it) but it is offensive.

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Is it illegal to 'flip the birdie' to someone in the UK?

4 Answers