An
English alternative to the common
middle finger insult.
It seems that this sign is unknown in other countries, this is why -
At the time of the English battles against Norman invaders, around the 11th century, the Frenchies were very scared of one thing - the English long bow.
To help solve this problem the Normans decided that each time they captured an English archer they would cut off his first two fingers, ensuring that he could no longer be an archer.
The English response to this French rudery was to taunt their intimidated enemies with this now characteristic insult - the 'v' sign.
So whenever you see French people remember that we have an insult created especially for them.