Thursday, March 30, 2006

Fuck proudly

Being a non-native English speaker, I have always been fascinated by the use of some words in the English language. One of them, and probably my favorite one, is FUCK.

For years, I’ve heard all sorts of urban legends about the origins and meanings of this wonderfully versatile word; the most popular ones being “for unlawful carnal knowledge” and “fornication under consent of the King.”

Most of these theories have been proven to be nothing but myths—as it has been very hard for etymologists to find any written data as to when, and in what way, this word became in use. According to Jesse Sheidlower, the author of the 1995 American book The F Word, the origin of the word “fuck” is most likely Germanic, even though no one can point to the precise word it was transformed to English from.

The first time the “f word” was uttered in television was in 1965 by Kenneth Tynan. His words, “I doubt if there are any rational people to whom the word fuck would be particularly diabolical, revolting or totally forbidden,” created a big scandal. Fuck-ing in polite society, let alone in television, was a big no no, a taboo of massive proportions.

Now, only thirty years later, fuck has become a more tolerated expression in society, even by the most conservative groups. It is widely used in TV, movies and in print. In a 2003 research conducted by the BBC, it says that “50% or more people said the words that should never be broadcast are cunt, motherfucker, nigger, Paki and spastic. Young women also don’t like whore, slag and twat. But fuck wasn’t on the list.”

I don’t know what my everyday vocabulary would be like if fuck was banned from the English language LOL. I use it in so many ways, there would be the very distinct possibility that I would lose at least half my daily word count. *shock*

In regards to flexible use of language, fuck is probably the most versatile word in the whole English language. It can be used in many different ways:
  • Noun: Bawdy doesn’t give a fuck.
  • Adjective: Harlot is updating the fucking sidebar.
  • Verb: Don’t fuck it up.
  • Transitive verb: Matt Farrell fucked Trollop.
  • Intransitive verb: Tart fucks.
  • Part of an adverb: Tom Cruise talks too fucking much.
  • Adverb enhancing an adjective: Trollop is fucking amazing.
  • Part of a word: Fan-fucking-tastic! Abso-fucking-lutely! In-fucking-credible!
It can even be used as almost every word in a sentence (although that’s not advised). I.e. Fuck it, fucking fuck-ups, fuck the fucking fuckers!

Here are some examples of how the word fuck can be used:
  • Aggression: Don’t fuck with me.
  • Amazement: Jesus fuck! In-fucking-credible! Fuck me!
  • Assurance: Abso-fucking-lutely. Fuck-on.
  • Difficulty: I’m having a fuck of a time with this.
  • Disagreement: Fuck you! Fuck off! Go fuck yourself!
  • Dismay: Fuck it.
  • Dismissal: Fuck off.
  • Fraud: I got fucked on that deal.
  • Incompetence: What a fuck-up.
  • Inquiry: What the fuck?
  • Pleasure: Fan-fucking-tastic!
  • Satisfaction: Fucking A man!
  • Trouble: Now I’m fucked.
So, please, do not take offense when I tell you to fuck it out of here and go watch this fucking clip. :P

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17 comment(s):

Blogger Harlot said...

Oh god, babe, that clip is so fucking funny!!!

Love this post! :D

3/30/2006 12:27:00 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

LMAO! Great post Trollop.
My personal favorite from a movie...
Pretty Woman
"Cinda-Fucking-Rella"

3/30/2006 12:55:00 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

From your example, everyone is f-ing everyone else (or everything else in Harlot's case ;) ) except for Bawdy. How could you guys have left her out of this f-ing fest??? LOL

3/30/2006 01:31:00 AM  

Blogger MotherReader said...

When my oldest was four, she told me "I know what the f word is." I said, "Oh really, what is it?" She grinned, but wouldn't say it. I said, "It's OK. I just want to make sure we are talking about the same word."

It was the same word.

I had to laugh at the word "fuck" coming out of her sweet little mouth, but I told her that it was a word that we shouldn't say - especially children- because it offends people. She wanted to know why, and I told her that somewhere in history people decided we shouldn't say it, so we just don't.

"But you say it Mommy."

"And Mommy will be more careful about not saying it,"

Later, I asked her to tell her Daddy the word she had learned. Why should he miss out on the fun?

Thanks for the break down on this misunderstood word. Trollop, you fucking crack me up!

3/30/2006 10:03:00 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

You ladies reminded me of my son's first use of 'Fuck'. He was 2 and we were in the care, my husband back into another car and yelled "FUCK!" He gets out of the car, my son says "FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!" I say all the stuff about not using that word and that daddy will be in time out when he gets back home. Then husband gets into car and I say "Guess what word your son just learned" on cue my son goes "FUCK DADDY!" and "You're in time out Daddy". He hasn't said it since.

Other fav. phrase I see in books a lot is "For Fuck's sake"

3/30/2006 01:06:00 PM  

Blogger Nika said...

OMG!! Hysterical!! You "bitches" are FUCKING hysterical!! I have a four year old boy, and just this weekend past he told his daddy..."Mom's gonna kick your ass because she's fucking pissed off!" Yeah, I know ....another mother of the year award coming my way!! The funny thing was...I was reading my email and wasn't mad at anyone at all!!! LMFFFFAO!!!Keep up the GREAT reading material!!

3/30/2006 03:43:00 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Harlot! I've just rediscovered your blog after you coming back from the dead on ps.com :P
You have SUCH a great blog! Hope to speak to you more soon, Charlotte xxx

3/30/2006 04:17:00 PM  

Blogger Zen Wizard said...

I love this fornicating post!

(Unless of course the post is married, wherein the fornication would "merge" with "adultery."

3/30/2006 04:55:00 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOL, what do you think, Bawdy? Should we forgive her? On the one hand, she has been busy. On the other hand, she only gave you the F word used as a noun...no verb for you, sirreee.... :P

3/30/2006 08:00:00 PM  

Blogger Marcela P. said...

What about: ABSOfuckingLUTY (sex and the city)?

3/31/2006 03:34:00 PM  

Blogger vanilla said...

I love this post, then loved all the comments, I'm craking up. Love the kid stories cause that will so be me when I have kids...I love the "fuck" word in many variations. *In innocent proper voice "Yes, I was raised in a christian home."* ;)

I will have to keep checking this blog out. Kudos.

3/31/2006 04:38:00 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

very unoriginal... this clip has been around for ages. helloooo??

3/31/2006 09:30:00 PM  

Blogger Harlot said...

Reader,

Hello to you too. :D Honey, this post is not about the clip, and no one says it hasn't been around for a while. LOL It's like talking about World War II and giving a link about Hitler. Err, i think it's called relevance or relatedness to the matter at hand? ;)

3/31/2006 09:48:00 PM  

Blogger Harlot said...

Oh, thanks Poll. :D Welcome to all the new visitors!

4/01/2006 03:37:00 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

LOOOL!!!

VT, this article is so funny. LOOL!

4/02/2006 04:29:00 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I came by this site by accident and now I'm addicted. Every book you have posted, I have read which is awesome I can finally find 'truth' about the books! As for this blog, its fucking hilarious!! What an awesome site to release to when work is boring!!

you gals rock!

7/12/2006 04:37:00 PM  

Blogger oso said...

this may be of some service:

http://www.amishdonkey.com/history-of-the-f-word.php

12/22/2006 11:49:00 PM