Faggot (slang)
Faggot, often shortened to fag, is a pejorative term and common slur used chiefly in North America against homosexual males. Its pejorative use has spread from the United States to varying extents elsewhere in the English-speaking world through mass culture, including movies, music, and the Internet.
Etymology
The word meaning "bundle of sticks" is ultimately derived, via Old French, Italian and Vulgar Latin, from Latin fascis (also the origin of the word [ascism). The origins of the word as an offensive epithet for homosexuals are, however, rather obscure, although the word has been used in English since the late 16th century as an abusive term for women, particularly old women, and reference to homosexuality may derive from this, female terms being often used with reference to homosexual or effeminate men (cf. nancy, sissy, queen). The application of the term to old women is possibly a shortening of the term "faggot-gatherer", applied in the 19th century to people, especially older widows, who made a meagre living by gathering and selling firewood. It may also derive from the sense of "something awkward to be carried" (compare the use of the word "baggage" as a pejorative term for old people in general). Use of the word as a general insult, not necessarily implying homosexuality, is either a continuation or extension of this older usage or of the homosexual usage.
Unsubstantiated associations
It is sometimes claimed that the modern slang meaning developed from the standard meaning of "faggot" as "bundle of sticks for burning," presumably with reference to burning at the stake. This is, however, unlikely to be the case, and there is no tradition of burning at the stake being used as a punishment for homosexuality in Britain. However, the Theodosian Code, which was influential in the development of medieval law, does prescribe burning: "All persons who have the shameful custom of condemning a man's body, acting the part of a woman's to the sufferance of alien sex (for they appear not to be different from women), shall expiate a crime of this kind in avenging flames in the sight of the people." (Theodosian Code 9.7.6) although supposed witches and heretics were burnt to death in other parts of Europe, and were often accused of deviant sexual behavior.
The Yiddish language word faygele, lit. "little bird", is also claimed by some as an explanation for the modern use of "faggot." The similarity between the two words makes it a reasonable possibility that it might at least have had a reinforcing effect.
An obsolete reference to faggot from 17th century Britain refers to a "man hired into military service simply to fill out the ranks at muster", but there is no known connection with the word's modern pejorative usage.
See also
the Wiktionary free dictionary.
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Faggot_(slang) ]
| Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) slang |
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External links
- Codex Theodosianus ( X site active 08/20 R/ )
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