The History of the Middle Finger

[wtm442]

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore they would be incapable of fighting in the future.

The famous English longbow was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as "plucking the yew" (or "pluck yew").

Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, See, we can still pluck yew! Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a labiodentals fricative F', and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-salute!

It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrows used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as "giving the bird."

IT IS STILL AN APPROPRIATE SALUTE TO THE FRENCH TODAY!

And yew thought yew knew every plucking thing.

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by wtm442

IT IS STILL AN APPROPRIATE SALUTE TO THE FRENCH TODAY!

I understand why Frenchy always smiles and croaks when anyone "salutes" her now.

[trularin]

There are more than one story about this.

Prior to the 15th century, from the 12th century forward, many sons of nobles went forth into battle for any number of reasons. In order to identify the bodies, the sons were sent with the crest of their family on their finger. As an insult the enemy would cut the finger with the ring so the body would not be identified or claimed.

To show they were very much alive, they would flip the ringed finger to the enemy as a matter of defiance showing their family was against them.

I heard this one before the bow explanation. I liked the bowman explanation better.

[wtm442]

Fred
Why did the guards let you escape from the home! Need more pics.

[427 S/O]

I was 11 and actually remember the first time A guy showed the finger, what's does that mean?, he said F___ you, and being completely oblivious, I said, well what does that mean?. Live and learn I guess.

[Jamo]

http://www.snopes.com/language/apocryph/pluckyew.asp

[392cobra]

Originally Posted by 392cobra

I understand why Frenchy always smiles and croaks when anyone "salutes" her now.

Jamo,
I guess I don't understand why Frenchy smiles and croaks when anyone shoots her the bird.

I guess she is just that kinda Ho.

[meat]

Originally Posted by Jamo

http://www.snopes.com/language/apocryph/pluckyew.asp

I'm sure that Aristophanes thanks you for correcting this.

Your pal,
Meat.