History Of The Middle Finger

[Chris Lawrence]

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!

[Goyave]

...

IT IS STILL AN APPROPRIATE SALUTE TO THE FRENCH TODAY!

As your fellow countrymen from AC/DC sing: "For those about to rock, we salute you"... Yep, we salute you too, Chris!

Goyave

(a Frenchman with a good sense of humour and more than one pretty long middle finger!)

[Crow Boy]

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!

Wrong and wrong. While your statement is a joke it is not funny so does not not belong here

CB

[Swanky]

Is there a link to this or is it just a story? Interesting one nonetheless.

[Crow Boy]

Is there a link to this or is it just a story? Interesting one nonetheless.

It has been debunked numerous times - try looking up mythbusters etc

CB

[Swanky]

You're the famous Crowboy. My friend who introduced me here said you were lovely. Sure, I will check out that site and thanks.

[Crow Boy]

You're the famous Crowboy. My friend who introduced me here said you were lovely. Sure, I will check out that site and thanks.

I think the usual term is infamous crowboy but very pleased to meet you. Now curious as to which friend - please feel free to PM me if you wish to continue this conversation

CB

[Chris Lawrence]

Your a harsh critic CB. Made me smile, so I thought it was appropriate. My apologies if you are of French origin.

Chris

[Crow Boy]

Your a harsh critic CB. Made me smile, so I thought it was appropriate. My apologies if you are of French origin.

Chris

Ok now you are just being plain nasty

CB

[zzdocxx]

Your a harsh critic CB. Made me smile, so I thought it was appropriate. My apologies if you are of French origin.

Chris

Ok now you are just being plain nasty

CB

Yes, lovely.

:D