It’s probably the second most famous four-letter word in the English language. People drop this bomb all the time. My question is, where the F—ck did it come from? I took to the World Wide Web for some answers. Unfortunately, I didn’t get anything definitive – just a bunch of urban legends and a Wiki post. So which one is correct? You be the F—ing judge.
GOD ASK THE KING?
In ancient England (the 1500s), the Royals ruled all. They even had power over a commoner’s sex life. If you and the Mrs. wanted to TRY to have a baby you literally had to get consent from the King. If he approved, you’d get an official placard for the door. Sorta like a medieval “Do Not Disturb” sign. Except this one had the F-acronym, which stood for Fornication Under Consent of the King. Most historians believe this to be false and somwhat disturbing.
THE HOOKER STARTED IT.
Here’s acronym number deuce, and probably the most famous. It was used a couple of centuries later in colonial times. This time the F-bomb stood for – For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. It simply meant that you could be punished for prostitution or partaking in the prostitutes. All the guilty involved were locked in the stocks. Then this acronym was plastered all over. The F-term served as a warning to any future sexual deviants (with cash to burn). Again, historians are doubtful about this being the true origin. Still, it is one of the better Van Hagar albums.
CHARTER? I HARDLY KNEW HER.
This F-one dates back all the way to 772 A.D. A version of the F-word was actually found in an Anglo Saxon charter. The document was about some king granting land to a bishop. One of the legalese terms used was Fuccerham. Scholars think this word may have referred to a stud animal (the breeder) or a very mean guy.
GREEK, LATIN OR GERMAN TO ME.
Last and most likely, is that the F-curse simply evolved from other earlier languages. Possibly words in old Greek, Latin or Germanic that referred to copulation or striking someone. The top candidates include Flicken, Futuere or Phyo.
Don't know the origins of the F word, but it is a brilliant word and so very versatile.
ReplyDeleteInteresting
ReplyDeleteWeird how etymology is usually locked down solid unless it concerns swearing.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding was always the first one, though not for exactly the same explanation you posted, but the same under consent of king.
ReplyDeleteFlicken sounds a bit beastial.
ReplyDeletelol @Shock.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I thought it came from old Germanic, "to strike." Frichen? Flicken? Whatever that word is.
From that we get "Fuck." Though I've heard of the other ones too.
Hell, English borrows from just about everyone anyway.
Personally I think it's part of the DNA. It doesn't matter what your verbal knowledge is, if someone hits you on the toe with a hammer you're gonna say ow. If someone pisses you off, you're gonna tell 'em to fuck off. It just makes sense.
ReplyDeleteinteresting possibilities there
ReplyDeleteIt's prolly Germanic in recent origin, and probably comes from some latin word that's been mangled. Useful word, as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Irish invented it, well known fact.....
ReplyDeleteReally? +1 for the Irish!
ReplyDeleteMy vote is "for unlawful carnal knowledge." Take that any way you want!
ReplyDeleteWell, this makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI love the origin of the other word...s**t! Ship High in Transit!
The English one sounds pretty awesome! Royalty having power over your sex life. lol.
ReplyDeleteWow, I was actually, honestly thinking of this earlier and now you come along to save me! It's definitely made by the Irish though, although the king one is pretty cool, I'd like it to be the truth actually.
ReplyDeleteWhere was this blog post when I was stuck in the car trying to explain the origins of the "F" word to my children?!?
ReplyDeleteI think it probably came from flicken. Though it would be cool if it was Fornication Under Consent of the King. The only problem with that is that fornication isn't sex, it's premarital sex.
ReplyDeleteI heard (from my parents) It means Fornication Under the COMMAND of the King and was used when kings could demand sex from any one including married woman.
ReplyDeleteits prolly just evolved but i like the idea of the 1st two acronyms stories.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite word! Good to know the history. My second favorite is asshole! Especially when I'm driving.
ReplyDeleteIt's my second favourite word...nothing quite gets your point across as well as a sentence punctuated liberally with the f-word
ReplyDeleteI love to read about the origin of words. The last explanation seems the best one.
ReplyDeleteI've read the for unlawful carnal knowledge explanation many times. I thought it was true. Now I have doubts. You have ruined my life. I won't be able to sleep now that I don't know.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie Junebug
In middle school kids always use to try and tell me the king fornicating one it was a good story back then when I was younger
ReplyDeleteall I know is that it flew out of the mouth of my 3 yr old granddaughter the other day and I was on the phone to my daughter in a flash! lol
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ReplyDeleteI do like that album...a lot. Thought the Van's were quite clever with the title. Then I'm simple that way with that stuff.
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