ENGLISH
REFERENCE

word of finger

idiom
Meaning

Interpersonal communication by digital media, especially using keyboard devices.


Origin

disputed origin

By analogy with word of mouth.

Examples
SIMPLE

I prefer word of finger over calling on the phone.

CONTEXTUAL

Most of our team communication happens through word of finger on the company messaging app.

COMPLEX

In the modern workplace, the traditional meeting has largely been replaced by the rapid, constant exchange of word of finger across various digital platforms.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all fingers and thumbs

    Of a person, clumsy or awkward.

  2. 02

    bad word

    A vulgar word.

  3. 03

    breathe a word

    To divulge even part of a secret (usually used with a negative).

  4. 04

    burn one's fingers

    To harm oneself; to suffer consequences of one's actions.

  5. 05

    dicky

    [Cockney slang]word

  6. 06

    dirty word

    The name of a topic that a person prefers not to hear or discuss.

  7. 07

    empty words

    Any type of talk with little meaning; a message that seems to contain meaningful content but is actually vapid.

  8. 08

    fat finger

    A supposed cause of typographical errors, especially keyboard errors, caused from erroneous key presses or typing errors on touchscreen devices.

Last updated April 17, 2026