History of the Word 'F***'

In the modern English-speaking world, the word '****' is often considered highly offensive . Most English-speaking countries censor it on television and radio. A study of the attitudes of the British public found that **** was considered the third most severe profanity and its derivative mother****er second. **** was considered the most severe (Hargrave, 2000). Some have argued that the prolific usage of the word **** has de-vulgarized it, an example of the "dysphemism treadmill". Despite its offensive nature, the word is common in popular usage.

The highly profane term remains a taboo word to many people in English-speaking countries, while others feel the word remains inappropriate in social etiquette when used by a male in the presence of women. The word also carries a sacrilegious connotation to some. Many religious people oppose the use of profane, vulgar, and "curse" words which they see as offensive to a deity. Finally, it is considered highly offensive to utter the word in the presence of children, who thus may be robbed of their "innocence."

Non-English-speaking cultures tend to recognize the word's vulgarity. However, it generally is not censored as frequently in those forums.

Proof of the more relaxed attitude about this English word in non-English countries was very publicly visible on billboards around the downtown of Paris, France in the early 1990s. They featured a woman sticking her tongue out in defiance, along with the slogan "Préservatifs **** le SIDA" ("Condoms **** AIDS").

The Canadian Press now considers the word to be commonplace and has added usage advice to the Canadian Press Caps and Spelling guide.

p/s: that **** is the F*** word.