ENGLISH LIKE A NATIVE
WHAT THE FUCK
DOES THAT MEAN?
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English Like A Native The F-Word
ORIGIN STORY
Ask anyone to name three of the most offensive swear words in the UK,
and you are bound to hear the f-word. As a verb, it is commonly used
to describe the act of sexual intercourse.
Despite the vulgarity of the word 'fuck', there is no denying its versatility
and popularity in everyday English, but where did it come from?
A popular story about the origin of the word fuck, is that it came from a
time when sex was only permitted if the King gave explicit permission.
The lucky lovers who were given the green light would put a sign up on
the door which read, “Fornication Under Consent of the King”. F. U. C. K.
It’s a great story, but it’s not a true one!
When we look back in history, it’s actually quite difficult to find early
uses of the word 'fuck' as it was probably considered too taboo to be
written down. The Oxford dictionary claim that it wasn’t widely used
until as late as the 16th century. Its origin is most likely Germanic and
probably derived from a similar word 'ficken' that had the meaning to
strike or penetrate.
Despite The Oxford Dictionary’s prestige, there are some who dispute
this claim. In fact, historian Paul Booth made the headlines in 2015
when he supposedly discovered the first use of the word 'fuck' with a
sexual connotation.
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English Like A Native The F-Word
In documents dated between 1310 - 1311, the name “Roger
Fuckebythenavele” appears seven times! Booth argues that the
surname “Fuckebythenavele” was most likely a nickname meaning
someone who is so stupid that they try to have sex with the belly
button.
Although its early usage is disputed, there is no doubt about its
popularity today. In fact, a university in Ohio found in 2014 that 'fuck'
accounted for 34.7% of all swearwords used on Twitter. With 'shit' and
'ass' trailing behind with a measly 15% and 14% respectively.
Despite its popular use, just remember that it’s considered an offensive
word by many and it's usually not the appropriate time to use this
unique, offensive but oddly beautiful, four-letter word.
And with that in mind, let's now take a closer look at all the possible
uses of the f-word.
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English Like A Native The F-Word
USES OF FUCK
Fuck - crude word for sexual intercourse
I heard that Simon fucked his boss at the office party.
He has wanted to fuck her for ages.
The trouble causers were caught fucking in the stockroom.
A good fuck - used to describe someone who is good at sex
A lousy fuck - used to describe someone who is not good at sex
Fuck! - to express anger/pain/shock/excitement
(Annoyance) Ah, fuck! I broke a nail.
(Excitement) Fuck! You did it. You finally proposed!
(Shock) Fuck! Sharon’s pregnant!?
(Pain) Fuck! I think I’ve broken my toe.
Fuck you - directed at someone in defiance or anger
Tom: You shouldn’t wear that dress, it makes you look fat.
Jane: Fuck you Tom.
Sarah getting engaged a few months after David dumped
her is a massive fuck-you to David.
I’m not a gold-digger. Fuck you!
Fuck you, Jenny, I made such an effort tonight and you
have just thrown it all back in my face.
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English Like A Native The F-Word
Get fucked- get lost or go away
Be aware that this can also be used as banter if someone is teasing or
saying something outrageous then a friend may jokingly say ‘get fucked’.
Get fucked, I have never cheated on you and I can’t believe you just implied
that I did.
My line manager can get fucked, I am not working late on a Friday night.
Ha, get fucked! You haven’t bought a round once tonight, you cheapskate.
Fuck as an insult
Hey f*ckface!
Fat fuck Don't look at
Ugly fuck me like that!
Shady fuck
Cheap fuck
Fuckface
Fucktard
Motherfucker
Stupid fucker
A fuck up
Fuck to express anger or annoyance
For fuck’s sake! - For fuck's sake! When will Sheffield United win a match?
Fuck my life! - I can't believe I've forgotten to save my work. Fuck my life!
Fuck me! - Fuck me! Will you stop shouting at me!
Don’t fuck with me - I'm not in a good mood so don't fuck with me right now!
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English Like A Native The F-Word
Fuck to express relief
Thank fuck - Thank fuck you picked up your phone! I really need to talk to you!
Thank fuck for that - He finally let us know he was safe. Thank fuck for that!
Fuck as a phrasal verb
Fuck up - make a mistake
Fuck someone up - to upset someone, damage their well-being
Fuck someone over - to deceive, con, or leave someone in a difficult position
Fuck shit up - disrupt or damage a place or event
Fuck off - used as an offensive way of telling someone to go away
Fuck around - mess around
Fuck around with someone - to have an affair/fling with someone
Don't fuck up the exam!
This TV show has fucked me up! I have nightmares now!
I feel awful for fucking John over. He was so good to me.
Let's fuck shit up! I'm sick of being told what to do all the time.
Just fuck off! I want to be alone.
Stop fucking around and do some work!
She fucked around with her best friend's partner...!
Fuck in comparatives structures
To be as …… as fuck - to be really...
To be as thick as fuck - To be really stupid
To be as fit as fuck - To be really attractive
Fuck-off - (adj) massive
Get that fuck-off snake away from me!
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Fuck in question forms
What the fuck? - What the fuck have you done!?
WTF? - OMG have you seen Kim Kardashian's new boyfriend? WTF!
…the fuck? (Sometimes we miss the beginning of this phrase and just say…the
fuck?) - The fuck is he doing here?!
Who the fuck? - Who the fuck do you think you are?
Where the fuck? - Where the fuck are we? I haven't seen a signpost in miles.
When the fuck? - When the fuck will our food arrive? I'm so hungry!
Why the fuck? - Why the fuck haven't I been invited to the party?
Fuck to convey apathy
Give a fuck - to not care - I don't give a fuck if you can't come.
Give a flying fuck - to really not care - Do you really think I give a flying fuck?
To not give two fucks - to really not care - I told her that I don't give two
fucks if she comes or not.
Fuck it - to give up as you don't care anymore - Fuck it! I can't be bothered.
Variations of to be fucked
To be fucked - in trouble
To be fucked - very drunk or high
To be fucked - extremely tired
We're fucked if we don't get the assignment done on time!
I was so fucked at the party. I can't remember a thing!
I'd love to come tonight but I'm totally fucked. Work has been non-stop.
Holy fuck - used to express surprise or shock
Holy fuck! That is a massive spider.
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English Like A Native The F-Word
Fuck to express dismay/distress
Fuckerty fuck - Fuckerty fuck. I can't fix my laptop!
Fuck fuck fuck - Fuck fuck fuck! My boss is going to find out I pulled a sickie!
Fuck a duck - I need to rewrite the whole article. Fuck a duck!
Fuck yeah - used to express agreement or joy
Tim: Want to go to the party? Sarah: Fuck yeah!
Fuck no - used to express disagreement or unwillingness
Martina: Can you help me with my work? John: Fuck no! I've tons to do.
Fuck that - to opt-out, there is no way I would do that
Fuck that! I am not going to another pointless meeting.
Fucking for emphasis
I don’t fucking know.
This food is fucking amazing.
This is fucking spicy.
Abso-fucking-lutely!
Un-fucking-believable!
Emma-fucking-Thompson - to emphasis someone you think is awesome
Fuck-ton - used to mean "a lot"
I ate a fuck-ton of food last night.
Fuck all - used to mean nothing
I did fuck all last night.
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