We're having some rather dubious weather here right now, and so some co-workers and I found ourselves with some excess down time today because even if we had to leave the building, no one wanted to go out in the icy mess. So like the intellectuals we obviously are, we sat around a table with hot tea and discussed terribly interesting things...like how swear words became swear words. Now I don't know about you, but I have often wondered this. Who decided that you can't say "shit" in civilized company without being reprimanded? Why are euphemisms for the male and female anatomy considered uncouth? And why is the most used and taboo word, "fuck," considered so taboo? So we did what any educated group would do: we consulted the internet. And lo and behold, we found something that explained all anyone might want to know about the origin of the f-word. Here's the info:
Probably the most used and common swear word is the F-Word (FUCK). Many others as the M-Word (MOTHERFUCKER) derive or are complemented by the F-Word, and most of the others (like Ass Hole) and (cunt) have an actual meaning but have become swear words.
So, the only interesting one to research is the F-Word. Here some theories about its origins:
1. The American Heritage Dictionary says its first known occurrence in English literature was in the satirical poem "Flen, Flyss" (c.1500), where it was not only disguised as a Latin word but encrypted "gxddbov" which has been deciphered as fuccant, pseudo-Latin for "they fuck."
2. When doctors wrote a diagnostic notation on the documests of soldiers in the British Imperial Army reporting sick and found to have Sexual Transmitted Diseases., the abbreviation F.U.C.K. was stamped on his documents. It was short for "Found Under Carnal Knowledge."
3. In the 15th Century, when a married couple needed permission from the king to procreate. Hence, "Fornication Under Consent of the King" (F.U.C.K.).
4. May be an acronym of a law term used in the 1500s that referred to rape as "Forced Unnatural Carnal Knowledge" (F.U.C.K.).
5. Referring to the charge for prostitution in
Interesting, isn't it?
EA-WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN??! Don't just be doing a fly by all commentin' and then not writin' anything on your blog, Mister!!
ReplyDeleteGreat. We now know the origins of the word, and that matter should be settled.
ReplyDeleteYour next assignment is how humans first figured out how to actually do the act itself.
My guess is boredom.
Very interesting, I am assuming none of those sites were blocked by Mayberry isd? FUCK sometimes statcounter is blocked at work because they are trying to protect? me from what? the content? HA!
ReplyDeleteI knew there had to be an acronym behind the damn bomb!
Several other sources you forgot:
ReplyDelete1. You forgot the classic Four Season Audio on the Origin of the Word Fuck.
2. According to Brittany Spears it originated with "If You Seek Amy", much to the dismay of numerous parental groups.
3. I always thought it was the old Anglo Saxon/German term for "to strike" was the best explanation, since a good fucking involves lots of striking pelvises.
Nice blog.
As a P.S. -- I feel so naive about my old Van Halen album: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.
I'm pretty sure the word came about as humans began developing language when during intercourse a well known farmer yelled out "Holy Fuck!!" as he ejaculated.
ReplyDeleteDyckie-Where have you been?? I've missed you, perv!
ReplyDeleteB&V-I stand corrected! lol
Ryan!! Farmers are still developing language, so perhaps there are new and interesting profanities to come...
Fuck is an anti-social word.
ReplyDeleteSo why the fuck are we talking about it?