Episode #033, 20.05.2012: fag, faggot, fascism

fag, verb and noun.

1. verb. Toil painfully; (of occupation) tire, make weary; (at school, of seniors) use the service of (juniors), (of juniors) do service for seniors.
2. noun. Drudgery, unwelcome task, exhaustion; (at schools) junior who has to fag; (slang) cigarette

In a sentence: “The junior had to fag for the senior.”

Sound: /ˈfæɡ.ət/

faggot or fagot, verb and noun.

1. noun. Bundle of sticks or twigs bound together as fuel; bundle of steel rods; dish of liver chopped, seasoned and baked
2. verb. Bind in faggots, make faggot(s).

In a sentence: “He bound the sticks to faggots.”

Sound: /ˈfæʃɪz(ə)m/

Fascism, noun. Principles and organization of the patriotic and anti-communist movement in Italy started during the 1914-18 war, culminating in the dictatorship of Benito Mussolini (died 1945), and imitated by Fascist or blackshirt associations in other countries. From Italian fascismo; fascio: bundle, group.

There are three words this week, who sound a little bit alike, but on first sight one of them doesn’t seem to match the others. But, coincidently they have the same root.

Let’s start with faggot. Its etymology traces back to the Middle English, Old French and Latin words for bundle of sticks or bundle of wood. As you saw, my dictionary still gives only that definition (by the way, wiktionary.org gives 9 different definitions). However, nowadays the word is more associated with the derogatory, vulgar word for a male homosexual. Why is that word used? Wikipedia gives the most believable reason:

“The origins of the word as an offensive epithet for homosexuals are, however, rather obscure, although the word has been used in English since the late 16th century as an abusive term for women, particularly old women, and reference to homosexuality may derive from this, female terms being often used with reference to homosexual or effeminate men (cf. nancy, sissy, queen). The application of the term to old women is possibly a shortening of the term "faggot-gatherer", applied in the 19th century to people, especially older widows, who made a meagre living by gathering and selling firewood.”

The same association is true with fag, as an abbreviation of faggot, and other meanings have become dated. Check out the South Park episode, “The F Word“, where the subject is treated in a humorous manner: The main characters want to change the official meaning of fag to “a contemptible person who rides a Harley motorcycle”.

Fascism derives directly from the Italian word fascio, meaning bundle or fasces. The word fasces is defined as “a Roman symbol of judicial authority consisting of a bundle of wooden sticks, with an axe blade embedded in the centre” and can be seen on the Italian fascist flag.

Now you know about fag, faggot and fascism. As you see, people with the same roots may be very hateful towards each other.

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