Winston Churchill took up the Victory campaign enthusiastically, and made a V sign with his fingers whenever a camera was pointed at him, his palm facing in both directions. This dismayed his private secretary, John Colville. In September 1941, Colville wrote in his diary, ''The PM will give the V-sign with two fingers in spite of representations repeatedly made to him that this gesture has quite another significance.''
Churchill was eventually persuaded to use only the palm forwards gesture."
There are images of Churchill using both gestures.
I don't think one can be entirely sure of the intention though general body language and facial expression usually will carry which meaning is intended.
"The Churchillian gesture
Winston Churchill took up the Victory campaign enthusiastically, and made a V sign with his fingers whenever a camera was pointed at him, his palm facing in both directions. This dismayed his private secretary, John Colville. In September 1941, Colville wrote in his diary, ''The PM will give the V-sign with two fingers in spite of representations repeatedly made to him that this gesture has quite another significance.''
Churchill was eventually persuaded to use only the palm forwards gesture."
There are images of Churchill using both gestures.
I don't think one can be entirely sure of the intention though general body language and facial expression usually will carry which meaning is intended.