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The British "V-sign" is equivalent to the US "middle finger." The only difference is the former represents open legs, while the latter represents the male memb
by anonymousiam 3y ago
The British "V-sign" is equivalent to the US "middle finger." The only difference is the former represents open legs, while the latter represents the male member.
If the "V-sign" is given with the palm forward, then it could be either of the (antiquated) "peace" or "victory" signs, but if it is given with the back of the hand forward, it's the "legs open" version.
- lifeisstillgood 3y agoThat's the first time I ever heard that explanation (open legs) -the most common is it is a sign of defiance from English archers to French who it was said would cut off the two right fingers from any captured archers. That is pretty rigorously debunked but is still popular I think ultimately it's an arbitrary rude gesture that became popular and stuck. As my seven year old is delighted to learn, it's rude enough to shock but nowhere near as rude as a middle finger.
- anonymousiam 3y agoInteresting. I've heard the archers version too, but what I related above was taught to me by an acquaintance from Birmingham nearly 50 years ago. (Obviously I'm a yank and it's certainly possible that I was misinformed.)