| Carlo Ang's Entry. The F Word: History and Applications.
Of all the words in the English language, one of the most useful and yet most controversial is the word FUCK. Strangely, there are hundreds and even thousands of words in the English dictionary, and yet FUCK is the only word that is referred to as the ‘F’ word. It truly is a very magical word, because not all words can mean two very opposite things at the same time. The word FUCK can actually connote both pleasure and pain, or both love and hate at the same time, and in rare occasions, even in the same sentence!
Unknown to many, the word FUCK is actually believed to be a German derivative of the word “Frichen”, which means “to strike”... It was once said that FUCK was an acronym used at the early middle-ages or that sort of time, and it meant “Fornication Under the Consent of the King”, or some other alternative with that same meaning. However, this translation is nothing but an urban legend (for more info on this, check out sources 3 & 4 below).
The exact date or age when this word was fully corrupted into the English language is unknown, but we can all assume that, in the early beginnings of the word, it was used to connote sexual intercourse between two people. However, it can be noted that FUCK is the only word that can be used in the most parts of speech known to man, especially in modern times.
If used as a transitive verb: “Adam FUCKS Eve.”
If used as an intransitive verb: “Eve FUCKS.”
If used as a noun: “Stay away, FUCKER!”
If used as an adjective: “Ryan’s doing all the FUCKING work!”
If used as an adverb for a verb: “I’m trying to FUCKING sleep!”
If used as an adverb for an adjective: “Eve is FUCKING beautiful!”
It can even be a different part of a speech, all in one sentence! Take for instance the sentence: “FUCK off, you FUCKING FUCKED FUCKERS!”
Yet one the most amazing applications is to modify a word by inserting it into the word itself, giving stress and importance a million times over, like for example, the words: “abso-FUCKING-lutely!” or “in-FUCKING-credible!”
The word FUCK is definitely a word of so many uses. Strangely, even saying only the word “FUCK!” is already a complete sentence in itself, though it is not advisable because just saying that one word, due to its many applications, is quite vague in terms of its meaning because it can connote many things.
It can mean dishonesty (The insurance company FUCKED me.), it can mean difficulty (I don’t understand this FUCKING question!), it can mean aggression (Don’t FUCK with me, buddy!), it can mean trouble (Oh, I’m so FUCKED now.), it can mean incompetence (My teacher’s a FUCKER!), or it can mean dismissal (Go FUCK yourself!). You can fill in more meanings by yourself.
Lately though, we see it constantly being used with the pronoun “YOU”. When both are used, it is already a complete sentence in itself. It can mean a lot of things depending on the situation. If somebody told you that you’re ugly and you reply by shouting “FUCK YOU!” with a smile, it can mean that you agree with him, but saying it with a frown and a raised fist can mean aggression. If somebody proposed his/her love to you, and you frown and say “FUCK YOU!”, it’s connotes disbelief. If you reply an “I love you” with a smiling “FUCK YOU!”, it’s already as good as “I love you too!”
The power of the word FUCK even transcends racial and class boundaries, because you can use it on anyone regardless of race, color, gender or orientation. Just one use of the word FUCK and everybody will automatically know what kind of person you are and how you were raised.
With all this said, let us not be afraid of the ‘F’ word. Not many words exist with the same tenacity and the same power. Therefore, we must shine in pride, as the existence of the word FUCK simply means that we are near to perfecting our language and human communication in general.
Thank you for orienting yourself with this magical word, and if you have reached this far in reading, with a smile I would like to say “FUCK YOU!!!"
EDIT:
I think it was years back when I first encountered this little movie that my teacher showed me about the word FUCK. I tried my best to remember it and post it here. I’m really thankful that the readers that commented got me in touch with the REAL creators of this VERY FUNNY movie, and I think they deserve credit way more than I ever will. Special Thanks to JlorinVex and the others for giving me the website and allowing me to trace the video and its makers, you guys certainly saved my butt from a lifetime of paying legal fees!!! Thanks to Ariam for giving me a link to the flash movie (finally, i can watch it over and over again)!
Watch it on -
http://www.wellbored.com/funny_animations/pages/history_f_word.htm
Sources (the real people behind it) –
Monty Python, Steve Leyland, Lyris (you guys are brilliant!!!)
Other Sources –
(1) www.etymonline.com
(2) www.wikipedia.com
(3) http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl-f-word.htm
(4) http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/fuck.htm
IN MY OPINION.
don't you just love this article?!?! this is super astig. i did finish reading this article with a smile. HAHA. it's all true. some people just don't understand this. i love Carlo Ang. whoever you are, you're so....HAHA. i don't know. HAHA. this is one of the best articles i have ever read in my entire life...i think.Ü what IS so bad about the word fuck?! |
