Etymology of a Curse Word

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SUMMARY

The discussion traces the etymology of the curse word "f**k" from its Proto-Indo-European roots around 5000 BC, specifically the term *pewg- meaning "to strike" or "assail." It highlights the linguistic evolution through various stages, including Proto-Germanic innovations and the transition to Old English as *fuccian by 500 AD. The term further evolved into Old High German as "fochon" and Old Norse as *fokka, eventually leading to Middle English *fukken by 1200 AD. The discussion also notes the contemporary Dutch usage of "fukken," illustrating the word's lasting impact across languages.

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~5000 BC, Proto-Indo-Europeans:
*pewg- (to strike, assail)

NOTE: Here, Proto-Germanic tribes break away from Proto-Indo-Europeans and innovate p -> f, g -> k, d->t - you can see this in many examples if you compare latin/french and english (ped <-> foot, pater <-> father, pisc <-> fish, perd <-> fart)

~2500 B,C
*fukkona (A: to strike, B: to copulate)

~500 AD, Old English:
*fuccian (to copulate)

~600 AD, Old High German
fochon

~800 AD, Old Norse:
*fokka

~1200 AD, Middle English:
*fukken
 
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In contemporary Dutch it's still "fukken", derived from the English. "Je moet niet met me fukken"/ "don't f*ck with me" 😋
 
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Dwoh!
 
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Hornbein said:
Dwoh!
Twai!
 
In Indonesian it's dua.
 
It's just interesting that the result was so similar.
 

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