What is the origin of the idiom "get the bird" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "get the bird" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 20th century as slang among performers in vaudeville and burlesque shows. In these shows, an audience member who disliked a performance would often throw a bird, or a small bird-shaped whistle, onto the stage as a sign of disapproval. Over time, the phrase came to refer to any situation where someone was rejected or dismissed in a rude or contemptuous manner, whether it was in a performance or in everyday life.