Re: GEN: origin of the F-word

["Marian S. Colclasure" <mcol@RPS.NWSC.K12.AR.US>]

I read this a little differently, but can't remember the source.  When
the puritans arrived in America, they maintained a rigoruos set of laws.
When a law was broken, the violator was placed in the stocks in the
public square with a sign nearby stating his/her crime.  Fornication was
absolutely not tollerated, especially when the colonists had carnal
knowledge that it was "wrong."  So, the violators sign would read:
Fornicated under carnal knowledge.  And because of the length, the
acronym was used.
                                - Marian -

On Thu, 7 Nov 1996, Johanna Halbeisen Woodland ES wrote:

> I recently learned something that I thought you folks might find interesting
> (and even useful at the upper grade levels).  The origin of the word "fuck",
> I ws told, is an acronym for "From Unlawful Carnal Knowledge".  May have
> been the polite way to refer to a child born out of wedlock, a little fuck.
> Interesting food for thought!
>
> --
> Johanna Halbeisen
> Woodland Elementary School(K-4)
> Southwick, Mass
> jhalbei@k12.oit.umass.edu
>