2007-08-30 02:27:49 · 6 answers · asked by dc 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The story says that during the war with France, the frenchs used to cut the index and middle fingers of the british archers to put them out of the fight. It doesn't make much sense to me because it could have been a lot more productive to just kill them. Maybe it happened and it was just a way to hit the moral of the british. But the gesture came from the british showing the frenchs that they had the two fingers. Most likely, they showed the fingers flexed the way they put them to handle the bow and not extended.
The second reference I know is Winston Churchill showing two fingers as a sign of victory, extended forming a V.
And the third one would be the hippies meaning peace, but I can't imagine where that sign came from. If couldn't be the archer's gesture because it's different and the meaning is completely different. I couldn't be the Churchill's victory because that was a defiant sign and the hippies' peace sign is not like that.
2007-08-30 02:46:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two fingers up with the palm forward signifies V - for victory - a Churchillian gesture.
Two fingers up with the back of the hand shown signifies f**k you. (Used to be referred to as a Harvey Smith sign.)
2007-08-30 02:43:22 · answer #2 · answered by Beardo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, in fact most hand gestures have some rude meaning to the British.
2007-08-30 02:34:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Britain it means "victory" or "success" with the palm towards the recipient. With the back of the hand towards the recipient it means "f**k off"
2007-09-02 08:37:13 · answer #4 · answered by galyamike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but it depends the direction.
Palm side out - peace
Palm side in - Up Yours
2007-08-30 02:59:47 · answer #5 · answered by Experto Credo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yep, it's true.
2007-08-30 02:34:49 · answer #6 · answered by Lilly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋