Act 1, Scene 1: Popup Note Index Item: 'bite my thumb at them" | myShakespeare

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All Site Content Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Scene 1

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'bite my thumb at them"

Cultural Reference

Act 1,

Scene 1

Lines 39-40

An explanation of the phrase "bite my thumb at them" in myShakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Act 1, Scene 1.

Sampson

Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them,

which is a disgrace to them if they bear it.

To bite your thumb at someone was to flick your thumb from behind your upper teeth. It was an obscene gesture similar to giving someone the finger.

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