Poll: Middle fingers

[Habakkuk]

I use the more Brittish two finger salute. Its basically a revearse of Churchills Victory sighn and it just feels more natural than the single finger.

 

[Habakkuk]

The rumor I heard and this could be complete BS was that during the 100 yrs war the french cavalry would target the english bowmen. When they captured them they would cut off their middle and pointer finger. In english victories the bowmen would show the french that they had their fingers. Over time the pointer went away. I heard that maybe 9yrs ago in a high school history class but I have no proof its a validated fact.

The story is thats how the two finger salute came along. Its not actualy true though unfortunately. No one realy knows how it came about.

Sorry for the double post.

 

[GundamSentinel]

I do give people the finger on occasion, but never seriously. My computer gets the finger often enough.

 

[sms_117b]

I used to when I was younger, then I learned that index and middle finger (palm fasing you) is a really old British...gesture...against the French, every time I use it I also insult the French, awesome.

Spoiler: For those curious of an origin

British archers that we're captured by the French had their index and middle fingers removed so that they couldn't fire a bow again, the gesture comes from uncaptured soldiers taunting the French saying "look! We've still got our archery fingers aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah"

 

[No_Remainders]

In Bruges is a damn good film. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story with a side of dark humour.

It was probably Colin Farrell's best.

OT: Yeah, I do it sometimes for shits and giggles.

 

[Wyane380]

I like to give people the Five-Dollar Footlong. It's effective at confusing other drivers who, more often than not, hurt themselves in the confusion.

 

[revolutionaification]

The middle finger thing is not a myth as far as i know. The story I hear is that back in some war when bows were still commonly used captured archers would have their middle fingers cut off since the two fingers that they primarily use to draw the bow the middle and ring, share a tendon or something (not entirely sure), so cutting off the middle one would severely cripple their ability to shoot anymore. The capturers would then show off their middle fingers to the captured archers.

This is close but it was the middle and index fingers, hence the 'V' sign that seems to be used more frequently in the UK. Though I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who was told this (I was convinced he'd just made it up).

Personally, I do use it with my friends, usually when I'm on the phone, particularly to a family member, and they're pissing me off.

 

[Crazy_Dude]

In Bruger is a hilarious film.

 

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

People do it all the time. It's not just a movie thing. I don't personally (well, maybe once or twice) but I've seen people middle-fingering all the time.

 

[bobknowsall]

I've used it myself, and seen it used. It's handy when you want to get the point across quietly or subtly.

It's understandable that you might never have seen it, though. It's not madly common or anything.

 

[Wadders]

I prefer to do this, usually accompanied with a cry of "jog on!"

Its more British

I only ever use it jokingly though, I never get angry enough to use it properly.

 

[Fawcks]

I've done it before. Sometimes in a card game after pulling off the move that wins me the game (Yay card games!), or in real life when verbal communication is not possible (If I'm outside the car and can't verbally express my discontentment, this works fine too).

 

[SimplyTheWest]

In Bruges is a damn good film. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story with a side of dark humour.

It was probably Colin Farrell's best.

OT: Yeah, I do it sometimes for shits and giggles.

Going out on a limb here and saying that it IS Colin Farrell's best.

And, like most British people here, I generally flick the V's preferably.

 

[HotFezz8]

yeah your stepping all over my pet hate, so please excuse me whilst i childishly shout

TOO MANY MOTHER FUCKING OPTIONS!!! YOUR NOT A COMEDIAN. NO ONE LAUGHS. ITS "YES" OR "NO".

YOU WANT TO STRETCH YOURSELF ADD A "MAYBE"

 

[GeorgW]

Yeah, everybody uses it around here (Sweden), but more in a joking sense. If you're mad at someone, you usually just hit them or you know, use your F*ing words!!

 

[Lazzi]

Only when Im mildly agrivated, usally only to people I know.

 

[Eumersian]

All the time. Especially when I get into arguments with my section leader over me staying on trombone. He's a jerk.