I've been guilty of this many times and to me it seems understandable as long as you're not overly aggressive or clearly looking to start something. Bikes generally don't have horns and our only way of communicating with other people is hand gestures or our voice. Just be careful because they're in a car, with a steel cage, seat belts, airbags, etc and you're on a bike. I've encountered instances of road rage where you just have to let the other guy go before something bad might happen.

I like to be a good emissary for cycling and do all the right things in traffic to set a good example, but when somebody cuts me off, honks, screams or burns off some rubber, "Eat me *****!" just flies out of my mouth. I can't seem to control it.

Marc

Sounds like a good idea!
I've cursed (well, more than cursing it's usually ostensibly hitting your forehead with your index finger or doing the "screwdriver gesture") to other drivers quite a lot, specially to hose who were sick the day the driving instructor was talking about turn signals.

I've had the same thing happen. Now I try to accomodate right turning cars and block straight ahead cars by staying in the middle of the lane but way forward, to leave turning room behind me.

+1

My first thought as well...

I usually thank them or compliment them for what they should have done ("Nice signal!" or "Thanks for looking!")...