Giving The Finger
By: thegrandpatron	Published: 02/19/2002
Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, and 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. English soldiers, therefore, would be incapable of fighting in the future. This famous weapon 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! "PLUCK YEW!" Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a labiodental fricative 'F', and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-s! salute are mistakenly thought to have something to do with an intimate encounter. 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".. And yew thought yew knew everything. Why not join the rest of us on the inside and get all of Goofball.com?
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pluck yew.... (0 replies) started by acidinterval (03.22.2002 4:36:27 AM EST) no matter where it came from.. " Hard work MAY pay off in the future.... but LAZINESS pays off NOW!!! "

The Real facts (0 replies) started by johnwitch (02.20.2002 5:28:33 PM EST) It was actually both fingers that the French proposed to cut of. As in the Index and Middle finger which was used to draw the long bow and was thus saluted at the French by the English while leaving Agincourt.This is where the English V sign originated and has been used as a derogative gesture long before the single digit sign became popular.

Pluck it (0 replies) started by roger (02.20.2002 9:58:25 AM EST) I love learning new things but I probably could have done without this one. Interesting to say the least. Just protecting my sheep

huh? (0 replies) started by malcom (02.19.2002 2:05:13 PM EST) Labiodental fricative? Isn't that a French term meaning "cluster fuck"?

This is just... (0 replies) started by thegrandpatron (02.19.2002 8:06:46 AM EST) ...another reason why I say "Fuck the French".

OK, then where did... (0 replies) started by proverbialchump (02.19.2002 6:51:28 AM EST) full of plucking shit, come from? This little history lesson couldnt of been learnt at a better place. Good one, GP.

Fuck You ! (1 reply) started by marvin (02.19.2002 3:36:01 AM EST) come on say it ! "FUCK YOU" ! LOL Actually we stick two fingers up rather than one .... same meaning though ;-)

Damn you, Patron (2 replies) started by tjshere (02.19.2002 3:23:09 AM EST) How dare you fail to entertain one of our fellow goofs. Especially one with such a side-splitting signature. Never fear.....TJ's here!

Mr. Know it All (0 replies) started by stalzoe (02.19.2002 1:20:19 AM EST) That is enough Cliff Clavin....BORING! Your mama's thick date.

THat's the way (0 replies)   started by kweenbee (02.19.2002 0:47:16 AM EST) I've heard it before. ^5 bud. Love the country, live to pee outside!

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