On Wed, Apr 11, 2001 at 02:28:36PM +0100, Telsa Gwynne wrote:
> "fag" is used for a cigarette, yes. But I've had so many "um, I mean cig"
> experiences talking to people not from here that I try to avoid it.
> It's also used as a word for gay people, and is generally not intended
> nicely, although I believe some gay people use it to make a point.
> "faggotry" is not used very often here, and would certainly be associated
> with "faggot" in its "not a bundle of wood" sense. It would not remotely
> be associated with smoking.
FYI, at least here in the States, `fag' isn't considered good usage
even in gay circles. Some folks use `queer' because they are happy to
identify as being outside the mainstream and/or a bit odd, but nobody
likes `fag'. The word does indeed come from `faggot' meaning a bundle
of twigs used to start fires. In this case, the reference is to the
burning of the homosexual at the stake.
So no, it's not a nice word. Calling a person a `faggot' is
saying they are fit to be burnt and not fit for much else.
Sorry for the o/t rant. I spent most of my childhood being called
names like faggot so I am sensitive to it.
Queerly yours,
--
Dr. David C. Merrill http://www.lupercalia.net
Linux Documentation Project [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Collection Editor & Coordinator http://www.linuxdoc.org
Finger me for my public key
It isn't easy being the parent of a six-year-old. However, it's a pretty small
price to pay for having somebody around the house who understands computers.
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