fico
Extremely low (archaic/historical)Archaic, historical, literary
Definition
Meaning
A gesture of contempt made by thrusting the thumb between the index and middle fingers.
Historically, a fig sign; an obscene gesture of insult or defiance. In modern Italian, 'fico' means 'fig' (fruit), but the English borrowing refers specifically to the gesture.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is almost exclusively encountered in historical texts, translations of classic literature, or studies of gesture history. It denotes a specific, rude hand gesture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No practical difference in modern usage as the term is obsolete in both varieties.
Connotations
In historical context, it carries the same strong insulting and contemptuous connotation.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to make/give/throw a fico [at someone]a fico [for someone/something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not care/give a fico for (archaic: to not care at all about something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used only in historical, literary, or cultural studies discussing gestures or Shakespearean/Elizabethan insults.
Everyday
Not used in modern conversation.
Technical
May appear in anthropological or semiotic texts discussing non-verbal communication.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The peasant ficoed the passing nobleman's carriage.
American English
- The character ficoed his rival from across the stage.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard. No attested examples.)
American English
- (Not standard. No attested examples.)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard. No attested examples.)
American English
- (Not standard. No attested examples.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too rare for A2 level.)
- In the old play, the clown made a fico at the king.
- The historical text described the insult, noting that a 'fico' was a serious gesture of defiance.
- Shakespearean insults often involved not just words but physical actions, such as biting one's thumb or giving a fico.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'FIG-ure' of contempt: a FICO is a FIG sign.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTEMPT IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT THROWN (e.g., 'threw a fico').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with modern Italian 'fico' (fig fruit). Has no relation to the FICO credit score. The closest Russian concept is 'фига/кукиш/дуля' (the fig gesture).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a modern synonym for 'fig'.
- Assuming it is a common or current word.
- Pronouncing it like the credit score company 'FICO' (/ˈfaɪkoʊ/).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'fico'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely unrelated. The credit score is an acronym for Fair Isaac Corporation.
It is considered an archaic word. Using it in contemporary conversation would likely cause confusion. Use 'fig sign' or simply describe the gesture.
Primarily a noun (e.g., 'He made a fico'). Historical texts sometimes use it as a verb.
Variations of the fig sign (thumb thrust between fingers) survive as rude gestures in many cultures, though the specific term 'fico' is not used.