I take it you are not using Webster's 3rd International Dictionary for
reference. In that great authority on language, the f-word disappears down a
black hole. - Phil
On 16:50, Andrew Fildes wrote:
>Indeed, only 'fornicate' is a better example. 'Fuken' in Middle
>English and reputed to refer to the mating of domestic animals
>although any etymology concerning the magic word is seriously
>suspect. Lots of cognates in Middle High German, Old Frisian, etc.
>Also ME 'firk, ferk' - to drive, force or move sharply, may be
>involved. Fornicate however involves an architectural feature L.
>'fornix' - an arched vault. To fornicate (archaic) to build with
>arches. It is proposed that most Roman brothels were in cellars
>which had these foundation arches although I wonder sometimes if
>there is an anatomical allusion at work. Clearly the Saxons were at
>it in the fields or on the common while their lord was doing the
>horizontal polka in the cellar, where the serving wenches were
>billeted. Andrew Fildes
==
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