[PLUG] RE: Steve Duin's column of 5/21/02

[Jeme A Brelin]

Speaking of off-topic...

On 30 May 2002, Karl M. Hegbloom wrote:
> On Thu, 2002-05-30 at 02:57, Jeme A Brelin wrote:
> > I'm really fuckin' sick of this tired old assertion.
> 
> Please explain what the "f" word does for that sentence.  I cannot
> comprehend, given the meaning of the word as I know it, how it fits
> into that sentence or enhances it in any way.

I assume the "given meaning of the word as you know it" would be related
to coitus ["My boyfriend and I were so embarrassed when my dad caught us
fucking."], the physical act of love, motions evocative of said act ["That
Volkswagen is fucking my bumper."], or symbolic and figurative actions
representing brutal acts of rape or "rough sex" ["You should read my
contract.  They're totally fucking me."].  Would that be correct?

That is usually (and I can't think of an exception at the moment) correct
when "fucking" is used a gerund or present participle.  The same meanings
can be used with other forms of the root as well.

> Does it mean "very"?  "really"?  "extremely"?  Or some other meaning
> that escapes me entirely?

No, that's quite good work, Karl.  You'll make a fine linguistic
detective.

When "fucking" is used as an adverb, it is an intensifier such as "very",
"really", or "extremely".  Unlike those other words, however, it carries a
subjective feeling of distaste or exasperation that a simple intensifier
does not provide.  Because of this added nuance, "fucking" isn't the same
kind of "unnecessary word" in the Strunk & White sense.  Of course,
overuse of any modifier is poor writing.

I leave as homework the task of identifying and defining usage of the
following forms of the word "fuck" in non-sexual context:
Fuck!
fucked or fucked-up
fucking off/around
as fuck
fucking with

I'm sure if you look and listen carefully, you'll find many other uses for
this versatile word.

Enjoy.
Jeme.
-- 
   -----------------
     Jeme A Brelin
    jeme at brelin.net
   -----------------
 [cc] counter-copyright
 http://www.openlaw.org