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05/26/10(Wed)08:43 No.1083607>>1083571
>>1083589
>>1083584
>One reason that the word fuck is so hard to trace
etymologically is that it was used far more extensively in common speech
than in easily traceable written forms. There are several urban-legend
false etymologies postulating an acronymic origin for the word. None of
these acronyms were ever heard before the 1960s, according to the
authoritative lexicographical work The F-Word, and thus are backronyms.
In any event, the word fuck has been in use far too long for some of
these supposed origins to be possible. Some of these urban legends are
that the word fuck came from Irish law. If a couple were caught
committing adultery, they would be punished "For Unlawful Carnal
Knowledge In the Nude", with "FUCKIN" written on the stocks above them
to denote the crime. Another theory is that of a royal permission.
During the Black Death in the Middle Ages, towns were trying to control
populations and their interactions. Since uncontaminated resources were
scarce, many towns required permission to have children. Hence, the
legend goes, that couples that were having children were required to
first obtain royal permission (usually from a local magistrate or lord)
and then place a sign somewhere visible from the road in their home that
said "Fornicating Under Consent of King", which was later shortened to
"FUCK". This story is hard to document but has persisted in oral and
literary traditions for many years; however, it has been demonstrated to
be an urban legend.[8] |
