WASHINGTON (AP) – Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia used an Italian hand gesture when questioned by a reporter after attending church this past weekend.

The Boston Herald reported Monday that the justice made “an obscene gesture, flicking his hand under his chin” – which prompted some online reports that Scalia had used his middle finger.

Untrue.

“It was a hand off the chin gesture that was meant to be dismissive,” Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said.

Scalia, 70, is Italian and known for wisecracks in and out of court.

The sign he used in Boston is frequently used by Italians to express displeasure with someone – from mild to deep irritation. It is done by cupping the hand under the chin and flicking the fingers like a backward wave.

“You know what I say to those people?” Scalia said before making the gesture, according to the paper’s account. “That’s Sicilian.”

The paper said that Scalia also said: “This is my spiritual life. I shall lead it the way I like.”