The History Of The Middle Finger

Did you ever wonder why we use the middle finger to show our anger at someone who's and idiot? Well here is the story of how we came to use that particular finger as a gesture for Go F Yourself!

#1 The Origin 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. The history of why we use the gesture of the middle finger...

#2 French Cut Off The Middle Fingers Of The English in Battle of Agincourt

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. Typical was strategy.

#3 Plucking The Yew (Longbow)

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').

#4 The English Won The War Because The Knew How To Pluck A Yew!

Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and they began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, See, we can still pluck yew!

#4 'Pluck Yew'Turned In To F**K You Because, Well, You Know...

Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a labiodentalfricative 'F', and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-salute!

#9 Using Pheasant Feathers In A Longbow Is Also Known As 'Giving The Bird.'

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.'

#8 Now You Know Everything About The Use Of The Middle Finger!

And yew thought yew knew every plucking thing. Didn't yew!!

#8 The Worst Word Ever

They can wash you mouth out with soap for saying it, but that doesn't stop you from gesturing it with that middle finger raised high!

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