British DUers, please help me understand the phrase "Flicking the 'V'"

[KansDem]

I read a report The Sun regarding Susan Boyle:

Hairy Angel Susan - watching on the hotel bar's TV with Shaheen's pals, family and show fans - stood and screamed "f*** off" before flicking a "V" at the screen and storming out.

The Sun

Is "Flicking the 'V'" referring to the "V" sign that superior British archers used to taunt the French in battles following the Hundred Years War?

And has it gone beyond tormenting the French to be used as a sign of contempt among your own citizens?

Just curious...

[LSdemocrat]

1. I'm not British, but I think it's equivalent to giving someone the finger in the US

[mwooldri]

3. Correct - palm inward, Churchill V-Sign toward you.

Definitely the same as the f--- finger.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. The origin being at Agincourt has been disproved, I think

LSdemocrat is right that it's the equivalent of the US middle finger. It was often known as a 'Harvey Smith' at one stage, after the showjumper of that name did it on TV (perhaps 40 years ago?)

Some stuff on it in Wikipedia (as good as anything on it, I'd guess): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign#V_sign_as_an_insult