Hatrack River Forum: The origin of the middle finger...

This is topic The origin of the middle finger... in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :

Since everyone seems to be using the finger a lot lately...

quote:
Well, now......here's something I never knew before, and now that I know it, I feel compelled to send it on to my more intelligent friends in the hope that they, too, will feel edified. Isn't history more fun when you know something about it? Giving the Finger 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. This famous weapon 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! "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." And yew thought yew knew everything.

Posted by Rappin' Ronnie Reagan (Member # 5626) on :

::cough::urbanlegend::cough::

Posted by Julie (Member # 5580) on :

[ROFL]

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

--I--

Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :

[Roll Eyes]

I saw that coming...

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

duh. [Wink]

Posted by Rhaegar The Fool (Member # 5811) on :

I think that is facinating.

Posted by porcelain girl (Member # 1080) on :

it sounded legit until they tried to tie the f-word into it. now *that* was just plain silly.

Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :

I'm surprised that Scopes didn't mention the digitus infamis or digitus impudicus.

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

[ROFL]

Eru, where do you get all these from???

Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :

e-mails. [Big Grin]

I don't actually think this is true, but it's interesting anyway! [Smile]

Posted by Julie (Member # 5580) on :

I'd say it definitely isn't true but it is hilarious! [Laugh]

Posted by Carrie (Member # 394) on :

Dude, it's totally a phallic symbol. Just like everything else in life.

--|--

See it?

Posted by Black Mage (Member # 5800) on :

Yes, but trying not to.

Posted by :Locke (Member # 2255) on :

If feminists see everything as representing the male genitalia, that's entirely their right. I just don't get it. Really, are trees phallic? Telephone poles? Cheese sticks?

Posted by Black Mage (Member # 5800) on :

I recently read an essay saying J. K. Rowling has a phallic obsession and the Harry Potter books are proof.

Posted by WheatPuppet (Member # 5142) on :

*cough link cough*

It's probably not work-safe and has a bunch of sexual references...

Posted by Black Mage (Member # 5800) on :

No, an essay. . .

Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :

wait.....I thought that story was for the backwards peace-sign that the english consider the same as __I__. I guess it would be _II__....hee hee. I crack myself up!

Posted by luthe (Member # 1601) on :

Most middle fingers originate from the hand.