False etymologies
One reason that the word
fuck is so hard to trace etymologically is that it was used far more extensively in comon 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]
The word "fuck" did not come from any of:
- "File Under Carnal Knowledge"
- "Fornication Under the Christian King"
- "Fornication Under the Command of the King"
- "Fornication Under Carnal/Cardinal Knowledge"
- "False Use of Carnal Knowledge"
- "Felonious Use of Carnal Knowledge"
- "Felonious Unlawful Carnal Knowledge"
- "Full-On Unlawful Carnal Knowledge"
- "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge"
- "Found Under Carnal Knowledge"
- "Found Unlawful Carnal Knowledge"
- "Forced Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" (referring to the crime of rape)
Ref:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuck
