Explanation: “V” is the Roman numeral for “5”. So by holding up two fingers in the form of a V, this fellow’s Roman classmate is trying to tell him “5” instead of “2”.
Got a source for that? My understanding was that the Romans based their numerals on the older Etruscan system, in which the V was upside-down and therefore even less hand-shaped.
Explanation: “V” is the Roman numeral for “5”. So by holding up two fingers in the form of a V, this fellow’s Roman classmate is trying to tell him “5” instead of “2”.
Well, axially, 🤓
Roman Ⅴ was chosen as the letter best approximating the look of the 🖐️ gesture, while Ⅰ corresponds to ☝️ and Ⅹ to 🫲🫱.
Edit: turns out this is a hypothesis. Romans probably used other hand counting systems anyway.
✌ symbolizes bunny ears, mocking the stupid bird
Alternatively the roman is just missing Ⅲ fingers from his 🖐️ and it’s abelism
Got a source for that? My understanding was that the Romans based their numerals on the older Etruscan system, in which the V was upside-down and therefore even less hand-shaped.
When I was taught this at school, it was presented as fact, but apparently it’s a hypothesis