The F* word

[Latoof]

Hi,
I have noticed that the word F*** is used so widely that I think it is used now in more than the meaning listed in the dictionary. People are using it for every thing, either positive or negative.
Can you please tell more about it?
Thanks....

[Tdol]

It can be used in many ways:
Emphasis- the film was f***ing rubbish/brilliant. no f***ing way!
Disbelief- 'I have done all the work' 'Like f*** you have'
Person (negative)- he's a stupid f***er (with 'sad' we say 'sad f***' usually)
Annoyed- I was f***ed off/ F*** it!
Beat by a wide margin- Arsenal F***ed Manchester United yesterday 4-0
Be intoxicated- he was so f***ed in the pub last night
Go away- F*** off!
Mess up - I f***ed up the interview
Cheat- I f***ed him over on the deal
Compound nouns- f***wit f***head (idiot)
etc, etc

This word has thousand of uses- many others could be added to the list.

NB some of these uses may well be BrE. There are those who avoid the word and never use it, and those who seem to think that, like a main verb, no sentence is complete without at least one, though they tend to shove in two or three to make sure.

[MrPedantic]

Two more:

1. F***ing hell! – an ejaculation expressing surprise, irritation, annoyance, pleasure, etc.

2. What the f***! –
i) an ejaculation expressing disbelief, puzzlement, etc.
ii) an intensifying equivalent of "what on earth...", e.g.

2a. What the f*** do you think you're doing?

In some environments, f*** is seldom if ever heard. In others, you rarely hear anything else.

On the whole, though, even in an environment where f*** is common, it can attract attention and some amusement if a non-native speaker uses it. (I don't know why.)

MrP

[Tdol]

'Cuz native speakers know how to f***ing swear, innit?

[Latoof]

Hi,
Thanks a lot for this explanation. Well, I am not thinking about using it, but I found that in some places people are using it all the time that we cannot hear but sentences that are structured around this word and the thing that I noticed is that it should have only negative meaning.... as you just said.

Thanks

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Latoof

. . . I found that in some places people are using it all the time that we cannot hear but sentences that are structured around this word . . . .

Here's one you may not have come across, "thank you, very much" => "[f]*** you, very much." "f***" and "thank" do not sound the same, but they do start with a similar sound and end with the same sound, so when spoken quickly enough, "f***" can sound similar to "thank", and so the person listening might not pick up the offending remark. It's a passive-agressive use of the F-word.

[englishstudent]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

... "f***" and "thank" do not sound the same, but they do start with a similar sound and end with the same sound, ...

I don't remember where I read/heard this one -
"He used the word starting with "f" and ending with "k"
and I don't mean the firetruck."

The discussion here reminds me of an interesting book
called Anatomy of Dirty English that I read
many years ago. (I tried to look it up on bn.com
but can't find it. Perhaps the title is slightly different.)

[Casiopea]

There's also the Banana Song, and children always seem to request the name "Chuck"; i.e., "Do Chuck!"

Chuck, Chuck, Bo, Buck
Banana, Fana, Fo, F***
Me, My, Mo, Muck
Chuck!

In Japan, kids always request the boy's name "Taka". Change "T" to "B" and you get a word that means stupid.

Taka, Taka, Bo, Baka
. . .