The History of the Middle Finger (1 Viewer)

[ProStockJunkie]

(Isn't true, but kinda funny anyway)

The History of the Middle Finger

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?

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 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!

 

[Jim]

Robert Wuhl covered that in his HBO special 'Assume the Position." It was a great show. If they show it again be sure to catch it as it is very interesting and funny.

 

[Larry]

The History channel covered that battle where the tired sick English defeated the fresh Twice the size with mounted knights French army.
They also covered the famous middle finger, Yew and fethered arrow deal.
A bit of history that still carries on to this day!
Larry00 back in time! or is that backwards in time! Nevermind!

 

[Nitrohaulic]

Is it not amazing that the act of raising your middle finger is considered to be an obscene gesture that's capable of getting you a citation in many places? Just tell the cop that you're only showing him that you still have your middle finger, too!

I remember in high school, a good friend of mine was working at Burger King, closing and coming home at 1 AM, on top of playing football, so he was short on sleep ALL the time. One night on the way home a car started tailgating him real close, so he thought it was just a friend messing with him. Sticks his finger out the window to mess with them back. Next thing he sees is the blue lights come on! Got the obscene gesture ticket. They can tailgate you. Just don't flip them.