5.0543 F Word Etymology (2/24)
Elaine Brennan & Allen Renear (EDITORS@BROWNVM.BITNET)
Thu, 19 Dec 1991 17:25:30 EST
Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 5, No. 0543. Thursday, 19 Dec 1991.
(1) Date: Tue, 17 Dec 91 23:53:45 EST (13 lines)
From: John Unsworth <JMUEG@NCSUVM>
Subject: Re: 5.0540 Qs: *When God was Woman*; F Word Etymology
(2) Date: Wed, 18 Dec 91 08:40:14 EST (11 lines)
From: "M. Pierssens" <R36254@UQAM>
Subject: F word
(1) --------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 91 23:53:45 EST
From: John Unsworth <JMUEG@NCSUVM>
Subject: Re: 5.0540 Qs: *When God was Woman*; F Word Etymology (2/39)
In re: the f word
I've heard that account of the word _fuck_ (as acronymn of For Unlawful
Carnal Knowlege), but it the account I heard, it was a motto over the
stocks. I believe I also heard, subsequently, that the whole tale was
apocryphal. If not, perhaps this is what was actually emblazoned on
Hester Prynne's front?
--John Unsworth
(2) --------------------------------------------------------------14----
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 91 08:40:14 EST
From: "M. Pierssens" <R36254@UQAM>
Subject: F word
Surely there must be some etymological connection between "fuck" and the
latin "futuere" (same meaning in Catullus). At least, that is the origin
of the french "foutre" (again, same meaning). According to J. Cellard and
A. Rey in the _Dictionnaire du francais non conventionnel_, there might
be a link with the greek "phutein" ("to plant trees"). Liddle and Scott
seem to agree as they point to a metaphorical use of "phuteo" in Hesiod
and Heredotus, "to beget children"!