forefinger twitching

shí zh ǐǐò ng

[explanation] originally refers to the omen of delicious food, and later describes the greedy appearance when seeing something delicious.

[Source] "Zuo Zhuan Xuangong Four Years": "The Chu people offered a gift to Zheng Linggong, and the son Song and his son's family will meet, and the son's forefinger will move."

In the Spring and Autumn Period, Ji Song, the son of the State of Zheng, always tasted the peculiar smell when his forefinger moved. When he met King Ji Yi, his forefinger moved greatly, and it happened that Ji Yi was eating the peculiar smell. Ji Song thought he would invite him to eat it, but Ji Yi deliberately refused to give it to him, to show that the so-called forefinger movement was not effective. Ji Song was furious, reached into the pot and tasted the gravy, and left. Ji Yi was also furious and prepared to kill him. As a result, he ruined his life and was killed by Ji Song.