that awful 'F' word

[Dottie B]

when watching very early period drama's on tv,s that F word often crops up, but surely it's more of a modern word. so when was it introduced?

[Quizmonster]

The earliest-recorded direct written use of the f-word in English was in a poem by the Scottish writer, Dunbar, in 1503. There were earlier coy 'hints' about the word hidden away in written material. One of those was a satirical poem that dealt with the Carmelite friars of Cambridge. A line in code reads, once it's �translated': "They are not in heaven because they f. wives of Ely". Some people claim it came from the German word 'ficken', meaning 'to strike' or 'to copulate with'. However, the Oxford English Dictionary - the etymology 'bible' - can see no reason to suppose there ever was any such direct connection and simply claims the etymology is unknown. It seems likely, however, that both words, the English and the German, may have had a common root in the ancient Germanic language.
Certainly there is no truth in the idiotic idea that the word is an acronym about �Fornication Under Command of the King' or �For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge'.

[Nether Edge]

Actually, the practice itself is even older.
Adam started it with Eve.

[jno]

even so, I think it was formerly used much less than it is now, so you may well be right in thinking that it sounds wrong in period dramas.

[emi-elektrik]

lets not answer that, lets talk about the "awful" part

Swearing is now a common thing, to me its just accepted vocabulary. Im not common, and im not some council house chav either before you jump to conclusions about me. My parents tell me that swearing is stupid and makes me look common, and they ensure i am well aware of the offense it may cause somebody of the older generation, but times are changing. Swearing is used all the time, its not "awful" anymore. The word f**k is about as normal as the word mirror, or telephone. They are all commonly used words. get over them! They are words! If I told somebody in my class to p**s off, it would upset them as much as it would if i told them to get lost, its just a WORD!!!! It doesnt run around and stab people or anything!