I'm just posting the wikipedia link here on account of I think it's a topic that people from both the feminism or the bicycle crank spheres don't seem to adress much despite there being quite a bit of both history and current day presence about it.
Hell I first learned about this via a trip to the "Einbeck City History Museum" which has about 3 rooms of city history, 10 on beer and then about 30 of bicycle history which is a stellar bit to pull as a museum
Elbow behind the hand? I admit I'm not a professional swordsman, but I feel like you couldn't put much force into your swing if your hand is ahead of your elbow; is it that you don't need as much force with a slashing weapon?