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# the two-fingered salute

phrase (noun phrase, «the two-fingered salute», also «the V-sign», «the two fingers»)

«the two-fingered salute» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, humorous, UK) a rude British hand sign: two fingers held up in a V with the back of the hand towards the other person, as an insult.
2. (positive, different) the V-for-victory or peace sign, made with the palm facing out.

### In the lessons

A jokey, polite way to name an insult without doing it; used in British news, sport and gossip, and in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The same V with the palm facing out means peace or victory — a big difference!

### Examples

- (news) The fan was thrown out for giving the referee a two-fingered salute.
- (gossip) He gave the traffic warden a two-fingered salute.
- (teacher) The two-fingered salute is rude in Britain — keep your palm facing out for a peace sign.
- (history lesson) Churchill's V-for-victory sign was done palm out, not as a two-fingered salute.
- (chat) got a two-fingered salute from a van driver
- (figurative) The protest song was a two-fingered salute to the government.

### Note

Trap: palm towards you = rude insult (UK, Australia); palm out = peace or victory, fine. Figuratively, «a two-fingered salute to someone» means an act of open defiance. Not a real salute.