# "V" sign in Mideast

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/v-sign-in-mideast/146939>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 6, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/v-sign-in-mideast/146939 "2003-01-06T14:41:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/v-sign-in-mideast/146939/1 "2003-01-06T14:41:07Z")

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Is the two fingered sign the Peace sign known to Americans, the British V for victory or the European obscene gesture?

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**Author:** ![Harli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c0e974/32.png) [@Harli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harli)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/v-sign-in-mideast/146939/2 "2003-01-06T16:05:44Z")

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From what I understand, it is all of the above.  
I do think there are slight variations to it though…the Peace and Victory sign has the thumb, ring and pinky fingers facing outward, and the arm is generally extended. The obscene form of this hand motion is held near the chin, thumb, ring and pinky fingers facing towards the person making the motion.  
I could be wrong though…it _has_ happened before.

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/v-sign-in-mideast/146939/3 "2003-01-06T16:11:32Z")

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All I think about now when I see that sign is Verizon (Can you hear me now?)

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**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\
**Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/v-sign-in-mideast/146939/4 "2003-01-06T17:47:50Z")

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The obscene gesture is made with the palm facing the gesturer - one explanation for its meaning is that it’s the middle finger, with the index finger pointing slightly towards the intended target for additional emphasis. “Yeah, _you_, pal.”