Adult Content Warning

You have entered a site intended for ADULTS ONLY. If you are under the age of 18, or if it is illegal to view such material in your community, please exit this site immediately. This site contains mature content including but not limited to; articles, discussions, pictures and other materials that some people may find offensive. If such materials offend you, please exit this site immediately.

Monday, July 4, 2016

The History of the Middle Finger


pluck yew

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.

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. 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').

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! 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! 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 every plucking thing. Didn't yew!!

FYI...thought things were going to ease up around here but they went to hell in a handbasket so not sure when I'll be around much.  Hope to visit at least a few of you and respond to a few more comments soon.

24 comments:

  1. Hi Cat, love the pic lol. You learn something new every day :)

    Sending positive thoughts that things settle down and get better soon.

    ((Hugs))
    Roz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy you enjoyed it, Roz. Thanks for the positive thoughts...still waiting for things to settle down. ;)

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  2. Hi Cat, very amusing! I hope everything settles down for you, big hugs
    love Jan, xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy you enjoyed it, Jan. From your mouth to God's ears! ;)

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Happy you enjoyed it, Baxter. ;)

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  4. Take care of yourself, Cat. Will be sending a few prayers your way.

    Hugs From Ella

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Ella...prayers are always welcome. ;)

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  5. Good one Cat. Thanks. Hope things settle down for you. Sending hugs.

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy you enjoyed it, Ronnie. Thanks for the hugs...hope things settle down soon. ;)

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  6. Thank you for posting this. I saw it yesterday on FB and then happened and when I came back to it, it was gone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Sunny...I thought is was so funny. ;)

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  7. Hope that everything becomes calmer for you soon...sending positive thoughts and hugs your way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Terps...positive thoughts and hugs are very much appreciated.

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  8. That ever present calm before that storm that lulls you into a sense of calm complacency and then WHAM!!! Sorry that it happened to you, but I feel you pain and will think happy calming thoughts to send your way. Do you need an afghan? :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You totally get it, Cygnet! Appreciate all the calming thoughts I can get. Would love to have an afghan...would just curl up and hide. ;)

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  9. You know I'm here if you need!
    Interesting tidbit!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, Minelle and I so appreciate your friendship!

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  10. I knew the middle finger bit but not the rest. Very funny.
    Sorry you're still having a hard time, sending more positive thoughts across the Pond.
    Rosie xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Rosie...keep sending those positive thoughts as long as you can please.

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  11. Sending positive thoughts your way

    Very interesting tidbit thank you for sharing
    ~melanie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Melanie...very much appreciate those positive thoughts.

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  12. Unfortunately urban legend
    From snopes:
    http://www.snopes.com/language/apocryph/pluckyew.asp

    Rob

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the research, Rob...still think it's a funny story and good for a giggle. ;)

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by. Respectful comments are always welcome.