21+ Things That Are Considered Rude in Different Countries You Might Not Have Known

Well, interestingly, this particular gesture–the “V for Victory”–is credited with becoming popularized by Winston Churchill himself. It is a way to convey defiance, derision, or contempt, usually for authority, and was frequently used by the Underground Resistance. While that’s when it was popularized, it might even go further back to 1415 in the Battle of Agincourt.

This was a clash between the English and the French, and English soldiers were known to use this gesture (specifically with the back of the hand facing out) to taunt French soldiers. Now you know for the next time you consider making this gesture.