"Partially true, until it reached the middle finger bit.
The archer's story of the two fingers cut off is probably true and explains why that particular gesture is common only to the English derived natives.
The middle finger gesture actually derives from the American War of Independence and is the reason why the Americans have a different gesture.
The Redcoats (and their supporting "Tory" civilians) used to make the two finger gesture to the Revolutionary Militia and Civilians as the usual gesture of contempt. Rather than merely mirror the gesture, the locals developed the middle finger countersign. The sexual symbolism, of a male sign countering and potentially overcoming a female sign, was intentional.
Daddy/Guy"
"May well be true but it isn’t an English gesture any more – the two finger salute is more usual here. The Dutch use it – I wonder what the French use?
C"
The archer's story of the two fingers cut off is probably true and explains why that particular gesture is common only to the English derived natives.
The middle finger gesture actually derives from the American War of Independence and is the reason why the Americans have a different gesture.
The Redcoats (and their supporting "Tory" civilians) used to make the two finger gesture to the Revolutionary Militia and Civilians as the usual gesture of contempt. Rather than merely mirror the gesture, the locals developed the middle finger countersign. The sexual symbolism, of a male sign countering and potentially overcoming a female sign, was intentional.
Daddy/Guy"
"May well be true but it isn’t an English gesture any more – the two finger salute is more usual here. The Dutch use it – I wonder what the French use?
C"
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