What's the origin behind the "V" sign?

Answer 1

English Archers would show this sign to their French counterparts in the old timey wars as French people were lame at firing arrows and the English guys would either shoot them or catch them and cut off their fingers to stop them shooting back.

They waved the fingers to say "we are better thajn you or we killed you!"

Answer 2

It's already been answered, but, hey, it's two points.

The V sign originated with English archers during the Hundred Years War. Because of their deadly accuracy these fighters were much feared by their opponents, and as result would have their two fingers hacked off after capture.

There is some debate whether it was the enemy mocking the English or the English defiantly signalling that they were still very much in operation, who originated the famous gesture.

Answer 3

It is from the 100 year war between England and France. (actually 132 years) The English used archers so when caught by the french, the index and middle finger were cut off so that the soldiers couldn't return to the English side as they were unable to use a bow.
Churchill was saying that," we will walk through Paris with these fingers held high.
He did have an interest in history.

Answer 4

many years ago when the English were fighting the French, the french would remove these 2 fingers from any English archers that they caught. This was to ensure that the archers could no longer use their bows. The English archers would raise these 2 fingers to the French, (palm facing the archer) to show that they had never been caught.

This is common mythology and may or may not be true.

Answer 5

If you mean the insult, its from the Battle of Agincourt. As the English Longbowmen were so effective against the French, the French used to cut off the first two fingers of the right hand of archers they caught. So as a sign of defiance the two fingers were held up towards the French.

Answer 6

It's from a war, not sure which but when archer's where caught by the opposing country they would cut off the 2 fingers used for the "v" so the can no longer use their bow and arrow thus the signal was i still have my 2 fingers so ha

Answer 7

Always understood it went back to the time of Henry V and Agincourt. It required those 2 fingers to hold and arm the English longbow, which at the time was the most powerful archery weapon in Europe. The story goes that the English Archers would stick their 2 fingers in the air to show that they were fully capable of firing their bow, and instilling a sense of fear in the enemy.

Answer 8

The English archers at Agincourt were threatened with the removal of their bow fingers - the index and middle fingers of the right hand - if captured by their enemies, the French. In defiance, the English archers would display those fingers to the enemy to demonstrate that they were ready for battle.

Answer 9

Tiss but a sign of victory, but inverted, it would mean the opposite, FU. I wonder if I had been first to write this, how many would have read and embroided the first answer? I suppose originality is but something to follow. Think on, Archers.

Answer 10

the Churchill use of the v is pretty straightforward - v is for victory.

Reversed, and used in an offensive meaning, there are two strong explanations for this;

1) In Medieval times British archers were feared for their accuracy, and often had their two bow fingers chopped off when taken prisoner - as a gesture of defiance to the enemy they would hold up their two fingers in a v showing they were free to shoot and kill the enemy

2) the other explanation is sexual - the v is meant to represent a vagina - much like saying a sexual swearword.

Answer 11

Legend has it that in the Norman conquest of Britain (Battle of hastings 1066 and all that!) When archers were captured the enemy would chop off the first two fingers of their hand, thus rendering them unable to operate a bow. Showing two fingers became a defiant gesture saying effectively "screw you I can still fight". There are other theories but I like this one the best! :)