2006-11-06 13:05:13 · 10 answers · asked by colin050659 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
It matters which way you show it. Palm towards the person means Victory, palm away is the expletive
2006-11-06 13:07:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The 'V' sign (palm out towards other person) usually means PEACE, it was hijacked in war-times to also mean VICTORY!
The 'V' sign with the palm turned towards ones self is an insult (often associated with the 'F' word!)..... I believe in origin, it comes from the wars against the French..... When a Bow man was captured the French would slice his hand between first and second finger, the injury meaning that he would no longer have the strength to draw back the string of his longbow..... Displaying the 'V' sign in this manner was a way of saying to the French... "Look, I've still got the use of MY fingers!", but probably in a more expletive sort of way!!!
In either case, it can be an offensive gesture to some cultures, just as the 'thumbs up' sign can be!!!
Careful with thos Hand Signs!!!
2006-11-06 13:25:50 · answer #2 · answered by ingthing2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It actually comes from years ago when the English and French were at war with each other.
When the French caught an English archer they would cut off his two fingers, so he couldn't fir a bow any more.
Those who still had them would show their two fingers to the French to say, well, you understand.
Winston Churchil then used it as a victory sign against the Germans in WWII.
Hence it's offensive in England but nowhere else.
2006-11-06 13:20:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the V sign palm forwards means peace and was famously used by Winston Churchill, whereas the V sign palm backwards was first used at the battle of waterloo, the british archers would stick the two fingers (their arrow fingers) up at the French as a taunt and ever since then its been used as a swear word.
2006-11-06 13:19:04 · answer #4 · answered by kickass_steff 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The battle of Agincourt took place on the 25th October 1415.
Where tLes Rost Beouf flashed their fingers to the Frogs.
2006-11-06 22:37:35 · answer #5 · answered by Des does it for the ladies 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Palm out (towards the other person) is "Victory", palm in (towards you) is a swear word.
2006-11-06 13:08:24 · answer #6 · answered by ElementaryJane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a swear word well sign anyway anless its facing backwards and then it means peace
2006-11-06 13:07:34 · answer #7 · answered by lady_luck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The war versus England and France answers are correct. It was from the archers who would display that they still had their firing fingers.
2006-11-06 20:24:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The consensus here is correct, but it is also the case in Japan (remember President Bush Senior did it and caught hell?)
2016-01-03 14:48:33 · answer #9 · answered by Edward Zuccarelli 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are two different signs
2006-11-06 16:42:16 · answer #10 · answered by Scotty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋