h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Forget being careful where you use it; be aware of why it is so distateful a word when used in relation to homosexuality. During the "Burning Times" when Europeans of one religious craze or another were burning condemned witches at the stake by the thousands, this name "faggot" was coined. While the accused which was suffering to death, the crowd would notice the fire was getting low. To remedy this they would gather up alleged homosexuals andtoss them onto the fire to keep it going, like a bundle of sticks--faggot!!!! Every time I hear that word used to describe a human, I can only think f burning flesh...