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The 'v' sign

Posted by Alan on January 19, 2003

Perhaps the most common British phrase , even if it is not spoken but indicated by raising two spread fingers in a similar fashion and meaning two the American 'one finger salute'.
It is said to have originated during the Napoleonic wars when Napoleon so frustrated with the devastating effect the British archers were having in battle that he promised that any captured British archer would have his two firing fingers chopped off , in defiance the British archers stood on a hill and raised two fingers in the direction of the enemy soldiers and shouted F**k off thus connecting the word and the sign.

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