Tea Etiquette - Pinkie in or out? Pinkie refers to the little finger. The risen little finger or pinkie out was once considered a sign of class and elegance, but now generally a faux pas. Misconceptions attributed to this rule, date back to pre 1710 England when tea was still sipped from porcelain bowls imported from China: Version 1 - In order for one not to spill the hot liquid onto oneself, the vessel was held with ones thumb at the six o'clock position and ones index and middle fingers at th