fag

UK: fæɡ | US: fæɡ

Definition

  1. n. (offensive) a derogatory term for a homosexual man (chiefly British, considered highly offensive)

  2. n. (historical) a junior student at British public schools tasked with menial duties for seniors

  3. n. (informal, chiefly US) a cigarette (short for "fag end")

  4. vt. (archaic) to exhaust or tire someone

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

The word "fag" has divergent origins for its different meanings:

  1. The derogatory sense (20th century) likely derives from earlier British slang "fag" meaning "a tedious task" or "exhaustion," metaphorically extended to demean marginalized groups.
  2. The British school term (18th century) may stem from "fag" as a verb meaning "to tire," referencing the labor imposed on juniors.
  3. The US "cigarette" sense (early 20th century) abbreviates "fag end" (the remnant of a cloth or rope), later applied to cigarette butts.
Examples

  1. (historical) The younger boy was forced to fag for the prefects at Eton.

  2. (offensive, avoid) The slur is deeply hurtful and unacceptable.

  3. (informal US) He stepped outside for a quick fag break.

  4. (archaic) The long march fagged the soldiers utterly.

  5. (historical context) Fagging was abolished in most UK schools by the 20th century.