"Why do kids at school tell me to put up my middle finger?"

This was a conversation that Taylor and I had on the way home from school today:

Taylor: "Mama, why do kids at school tell me to put up my middle finger?"

Me: "Did you put up your middle finger?"

Taylor: "No, but what does it mean?"

Me: "A really bad word. You will get in trouble in school and at home if you do that."

Taylor: "What word is it? Can't you just tell me?"

Me: "No, I can't tell you, but be sure to never put your middle finger up...you will get in trouble."

Taylor: "Can people get in trouble for putting their middle finger up if they don't know what it means?"

Me: "No, I don't think you should get in trouble for something that you don't know is wrong. But now you do know it is wrong, so you can get in trouble if you ever do it. (Pause) Why Taylor, did you put your middle finger up?"

Taylor: "No, I was just wondering."

And so it begins...I wonder what she will ask next.