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If you don't already know, this hand gesture, the V or backwards peace symbol, is the same as flipping someone the bird in the UK. Legend (or myth) has it that it comes from when French soldiers would cut off the middle and forefingers of British archers so that they could no longer draw their bows. The British would then show their defiance by flipping the V sign to the French to show that they were still capable of firing their bows.

14 Comments

By Anonymous on November 13, 2006 2:28 PM

hilarious that you americans dont get this

By Anonymous on November 13, 2006 7:33 PM

Not just Brits - try doing that to an Australian and you wont have any fingers left!

By Anonymous on November 13, 2006 7:33 PM

I think its funny too! I thought it meant the same everywhere! So every time someone has flipped the bird in the US - it's supposed to mean..what?

By Anonymous on November 14, 2006 2:38 PM

I guess he is fine as long as he stays in his country. I don't think he has any plans to visit the area his ancestors escaped from.

By Anonymous on November 18, 2006 4:31 PM

so what does it mean in America? i know Americans use 1 finger. If i did that I'd have to say as well..."sit on it and swivel"

By Tom Sederburg on February 14, 2007 4:38 PM

It just means peace here in the States, from the front or the back.

Later,
Tom

By elle on May 20, 2007 3:18 PM

its really not that funny...cultural differences

By thug on May 20, 2007 3:20 PM

and that same hand sign at a different angle is chunkin tha deuce, bitch

By Anonymous on May 20, 2007 3:23 PM

what is actually hilarious is that americans dont give a fuck what it means in britain

By Chantal on May 20, 2007 8:26 PM

um no we don't anon 2:23 because it means "peace" over here. der.
this has got to be the most irrelevant pic spread. it is just weird to even talk about it like it's bad. aren't yall in america, splash?

By Llillian on May 20, 2007 10:29 PM

Offended by the American hand gesture of peace? Please! Must be a really slow news day. GET A GRIP!!!

By You're kidding....right? on May 20, 2007 10:43 PM

Like Americans spend a lot of time studying British history! You're mixed up. We are no longer part of the British empire and haven't been for 231 years! We don't even speak the same English! Jay's gesture means "peace" in America. If you choose to be offended, then take this one finger salute, sit on it and swivel!

By badfae on May 25, 2007 5:51 PM

I'm an American, but I don't recall ever seeing anyone give the "peace" sign with the back of their hand like that. Hmm.

"I donâ€™t think he has any plans to visit the area his ancestors escaped from."

You mean Italy?

(believe it or not, not all Americans' ancestors came from England. Amazing!)

By He offends everyone! on June 11, 2007 11:00 AM

What makes you think he didn't do that on purpose? In America, we express ourselves freely, and if wants you Brits to twaddle off, then start twaddling, ducks. By the way, you misguided fellow Americans who think it's the peace sign...you are more embarassing to our country than a cunt like Jay Leno. The peace sign has the palm out, not the back of the hand. It comes from American Sign Language. Educate yourselves, for chrissake.

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