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

Should something be done about this? F50927?thread=2807448.

I don't feel up to it. It requires rather large changes to the original author's work.

TRiG.

Do we know what the origin of the term 'faggot' as applied to homosexuals is, then? If so, it should be a simple job to put in the correct explanation and completely cut out the offending paragraph.

The actual explanation is one of those twisty, 'eye of faith' etymology jobs, unfortunately. Point A is the term in Renaissance English as used, simply, for an old woman. Point B is the term cropping up in the US in the early twentieth century with its current derogatory meaning. How you get from point A to point B is anyone's guess, even if there is a link between the two.

How about the following, as a description of fag/faggot:

'Fag' and 'faggot' are American insults for gay men. The term 'faggot' first started being used in this way in around 1914, but it is not clear where the word came from. A faggot is a bundle of sticks, used for firewood and tied up for carrying around. In the 16th century it was used as an insulting term for a useless old woman as something that weighs you down, in the same way that 'baggage' is sometimes used nowadays. But it's quite a jump from 1592 to 1914 with nothing recorded in between. Gay men in the latter half of the 20th Century began using the term 'fag hag' to refer to straight women who frequently gather at gay establishments, partly as an insult and partly because of the rhyme.

That works, Gnomon. Sums up the whole issue of etymology here succinctly.

Jims, would you be able to make that change, as the profanity filter is preventing me from doing it.

So it has nothing to do with the fag system in British public schools? I'm sure you could derive a very plausibe etymology from that, if you felt like it.

TRiG.

I thought of that. But Americans seem to feel that faggot came first and then fag, which doesn't fit with it coming from British Public School fags, who had nothing to do with faggots.

'Fag' and 'faggot' are American insults for gay men. The term 'faggot' first started being used in this way in around 1914, but it is not clear where the word came from. A faggot is a bundle of sticks, used for firewood and tied up for carrying around. In the 16th century it was used as an insulting term for a useless old woman as something that weighs you down, in the same way that 'baggage' is sometimes used nowadays. But it's quite a jump from 1592 to 1914 with nothing recorded in between. Gay men in the latter half of the 20th Century began using the term 'fag hag' to refer to straight women who frequently gather at gay establishments, partly as an insult and partly because of the rhyme.

Jimster, just to remind you of what needs to be done here.

Entry A412570 Descriptors for Sexual Minorities

Please change the paragraph that has the subheader "Fag, Faggot, Fag Hag" to the following:

'Fag' and 'faggot' are American insults for gay men. The term 'faggot' first started being used in this way in around 1914, but it is not clear where the word came from. A faggot is a bundle of sticks, used for firewood and tied up for carrying around. In the 16th century it was used as an insulting term for a useless old woman as something that weighs you down, in the same way that 'baggage' is sometimes used nowadays. But it's quite a jump from 1592 to 1914 with nothing recorded in between. Gay men in the latter half of the 20th Century began using the term 'fag hag' to refer to straight women who frequently gather at gay establishments, partly as an insult and partly because of the rhyme.

The Curators are unable to make this change because of the profanity filter.

Done - thank you, Gnomon.

Here's another: F50927?thread=296059. Change Trojans to Spartans, please.

TRiG.

Done.