The Etymology of Faggot Analysis
The word faggot comes originally from a Greek word meaning "bundle," and it evolved into an Old English and/or French word (fagot) meaning "a bundle of sticks" used as firewood. This term has been in use for centuries, mostly in Europe. The term also refers to the measurement of that bundle of sticks, but this meaning is archaic and not currently in use. A short faggot was two feet around and 32 inches long. The term evolved to simply mean any bundle of wood (Answers.com, 2006). It is interesting that it is also used as slang in the bondage world to mean a bundle of wood used for spanking (Wikipedia.com). The most commonly used meaning of the word today is a derogatory term for male homosexuals. It seems to be the plural of "fag," and it does not relate to the bundle of wood definition. Instead, it comes from English slang for an old woman. Answers.com gives a more detailed definition. They say, "More significantly, the word has been used since the late sixteenth century to mean 'old or unpleasant woman.' Female terms are often used with reference to homosexual or effeminate men (cf. nancy, sissy, queen) and this seems the most likely derivation" (Answers.com, 2006). There is also speculation the word refers to homos
For example, there is a popular gay Web site online called "Faggoty-Ass Faggot: His loafers are light, his tongue is acid. In early England, these meat scraps were called "faggot-ends," and often thrown away in the gutters of city streets. exuals because it also referred to early English street prostitutes, both men and women (Answers. The meaning of a bundle of sticks is quite clear, but as the research indicates, the slang term for homosexuals takes more digging. " This personifies the gay, over the top gay personality, and faggot could refer to that type of gay as a way to define them and separate them from the average gay community members. This is a classic example of evolution - the word has come full circle, and now is most commonly used as a derogatory term for a homosexual, something those who first devised the word probably never thought of. In conclusion, the commonality among the different uses of this word is quite murky. This term is used commonly today, and some homosexuals even use it to describe themselves or other homosexuals as an almost "affectionate" term, just the same way blacks use the word "nigger" for each other. While many of the other meanings of the word refer back to the original root, a bundle of something, there is another English usage of the word that does not seem to make sense at first. It seems the original meatballs were made with less desirable cuts of meat, (think of our own hot dogs), along with breadcrumbs and seasonings. It makes sense that the English slang term has evolved into a term used regarding homosexuals. To use this is a sentence: "That faggot swishes when he walks and looks like a girl. Faggot also refers to a type of pork meatball in Great Britain. Word originated as they were necessary, and the classic Greek and Latin roots of many words are a key to understanding how words evolve over time. Thus, the meatballs made from these discarded cuts of meat were known as "faggots.
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