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HollyCupcakez t1_iydo2m4 wrote

My British roommate told me if I do the peace sign in England I'll get stabbed.

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viriosion t1_iydspfo wrote

For some (anecdotal) historical context

During the battle of Agincort a number of British archers were captured by the French. They were eventually returned, with the first two digits of their right hands removed, preventing them from firing a bow again. Displaying those digits became an insult originally aimed at the French that broadly made its way to general use

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xanthraxoid t1_iyeqcki wrote

The story is total balls, sadly, but it's still amusing :-)

For a bit of historical context - nobility captured in battle (basically anyone in a suit of armour and on a horse) would have been kept for ransom and looked after very well (no removal of fingers!) and anyone else would have been slaughtered on sight. The archers would all have been yeomanry and in the latter category (no removal of fingers, or at least not then sent back without them...)

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