Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2020 July 27

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July 27

Fecundity

It is said that while the etymology of the profanity f*&k is not fully known, its first usage is in a poem describing what the butchers are doing to the bakers wives, or something along those lines, if memory serves accurately. I would like to know if there has been any consideration that there may be a correlation to the word Fecund or fecundity. They would strike me as particularly similar especially if one were to put "ye olde-english" slant on this. Is there a known correlation or joint etymology, or could one actually be derived directly from the other. Thank you — Preceding unsigned comment added by 31.53.187.190 (talk) 10:11, 27 July 2020 (UTC)

The English etymology for "fecund" is summarised here. I think you may be leading us down a bit of a blind alley. Martinevans123 (talk) 10:15, 27 July 2020 (UTC)

The etymology of "fuck" is noted at the Wikipedia article and section Fuck#Etymology, and does not mention any connection to the word "fecund". That would be a False etymology. --Jayron32 16:39, 27 July 2020 (UTC)

It would be a f**kin fecund false etymology. Martinevans123 (talk) 17:25, 27 July 2020 (UTC)

More at Wiktionary:fuck#Etymology, which makes mention of a certain Roger Fuckebythenavele, a resident of Cheshire in 1310. Hopefully, he wasn't a teacher by profession. Alansplodge (talk) 19:34, 27 July 2020 (UTC)

Disgraceful. Enough to give Roger a bad name. Martinevans123 (talk) 20:08, 27 July 2020 (UTC)