Ghost of a flea

I had read that the origin of this sign was from the English longbow days -- captured English bowmen would have their two fingers cut off so they could never again use a bow. So, this 'V' sign became a taunt to the opposing side across the battlefield. No idea if this is a myth though; anything in the Flea archives on this?

I use this example in teaching my nonverbal communication course. I am not certain whether or not it is true in an historical sense but it has great truth in a mythological sense...