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Question
#54759. jonnyd_
asks:
When did the "f-word" become assiocated as a 'swear' word
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LeakyPickle
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Info I remember hearing is how it was associated with controlling the population in old England. That "relations" could only be approved by the King. This resulted in notices being placed on the doors to homes "Fornication Under Consent of King" (Abbreviated, you get the word we know today). Not sure when this took place, or how accurate it is...but perhaps our British friends would have more information?
Feb 03 05, 12:53 PM
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dejavucub4
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I've heard the "f-word" was also written on the pole of the stocks (the thing they locked your neck and wrists in) when people were caught (Fornicating Under Carnal Knowledge). This was done as early as Jamestown in the U.S. so it probably came from earlier in Europe.
Feb 03 05, 1:06 PM
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Stew54
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That's a spoof I think, LeakyPickle.
This is a pretty old word, Middle English I think, and possibly originally from a Latin root. It isn't unusual for curse words in any language to relate to subjects like procreation and bodily functions. They are intended either to insult or to add vulgar emphasis, so they need to have some shock value.
Actually, having googled around a bit I think the Latin root thing might be mistaken; there are very similar words in many Germanic and Nordic languages, which argues for a Germanic origin, many hundreds of years before anyone would have used an acronym. The Snopes page on this is good, but there's no euphemism used in the name of the webpage, so I won't put up the link!
Feb 03 05, 1:08 PM
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TabbyTom
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The earliest recorded use of the word in its literal sense, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was in 1503. All the early quotations in the OED are Scottish.
As a swear word, it probably dates from the late 19th century. Farmer & Henley’s famous Victorian dictionary of "Slang and its Analogues" mentions it as "a qualification of extreme contumely" in 1893. Another source has a quotation from around 1879.
Feb 03 05, 1:13 PM
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Baloo55th
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I think both those acronym suggestions are made up by someone. They don't have the ring of normality about them. And there's never been any population control under anyone's authority in the UK. Up to modern times, population increase was desired - more soldiers and sailors wanted.
My dictionary relates it to Middle Dutch 'fokken' (to strike) but that will be related to the German anyway. Virtually all swear words are either body functions or religious in origin, which I find interesting.
Feb 03 05, 6:15 PM
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griffinj
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The last time the 'f' word is used without obviously trying to be very crude seems to be in "Ane Ballat Maid to the Derisioun an Scorne of Wantoun Wemen" by Alexander Scott (c.1530-c.1584) Another use is in "A Lewd Ballet" (1571) by the same author.
"Apart from the works of Rochester, who uses the word often, this is virtually its last appearance till the twentieth century in literature written for general circulation"
"The word seems to be a close relative to the German "ficken" (to strike) and both this word and its English cousin might be derived from a presumed archaic word 'f*cken'." Eric Partridge, who puts forward this hypothesis, and who suggests a Celtic origin, points out that the ultimate source is nevertheless probably earlier than both Latin and Celtic, and draws attention to 'a strikingly ancient etymon': the Egyptian 'petche' (to copulate with, of the male)
A somewhat far-fetched supposition was that of the late James Barke, who took the English word to be "an onomatopoeic work of the equivalent of the sound made by the act." (Peter Fryer, "Miss Grundy, Studies in English Prudery" New York 1964)
I have frequently read the hypothesis that the word and 'gold' are the oldest words in the English language. Unsubstantiated, but a fascinating theory, giving us more than just etymological background.
I also understand that the definitive word on the word is "The F-Word" by Jesse Sheidlower, published by Random House in 1999. It is to my great regret that I haven't be able to consult this doubtlessly fascinating volume.
Feb 03 05, 7:07 PM
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mibmob
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I wondered if it was derived from the word focaria - to do with the hearth (cf foccaccia bread) - which was a term for a clandestine girl mediaeval clergy had to "warm them".
More interesting is now that this once extremely offensive word is so commonplace everywhere (not used by me) what will supercede it as a really offensive word?
Feb 04 05, 5:41 AM
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