How did that gesture originate?
2007-02-22 03:55:16 · 6 answers · asked by Pontius 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
it started as a gesture at Argon-court when the English were fighting the French. the finger you refer to was necessary to shoot the English longbow and when the French captured an Englishman they cut the finger off so he could not shoot the bow. this gesture started as an act of defiance so the Englishman was saying " I still have my finger and can fight you. "
2007-02-22 04:49:48 · answer #1 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Marvin R is pretty much correct. It originated during The Hundred Years War (which really lasted 116 years...) which was between the French and English. To use the English longbow (made out of yew wood) the English used their middle finger. When Englishmen were caught, the French would cut off their middle fingers. Those Englishmen who made it with their fingers intact would then mock the French by waving their middle fingers "I can still pluck yew!" Now..."pluck yew"...think about it.
I have heard however that it existed long before this in the ancient Greco-Roman world...but I don't know THAT story :-)
2007-02-22 15:17:14 · answer #2 · answered by Riverblossom 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes i have seen it being used after all i live in america lol but i have no clue how it started
2007-02-22 04:25:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just meant to be a similar shape (and so represent) the errect male genitals.
2007-02-22 03:59:48 · answer #4 · answered by TK_M 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
its also generally the finger used in "fingering" someone
2007-02-22 04:03:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Not towards me. I would break it off.
2007-02-22 04:38:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋