The Etymology of the "F-word"

Peter J. Leithart, January 28, 2004

While I'm on that subject: I've often wondered about the etymology of the "f-word." The Shorter Oxford says that the derivation is unknown. I have a theory: Medieval courtly love poetry (such as the Roman de la Rose) traced the development of courtship through several stages. The stage of consummation was designated by the Latin word factum, which means "the deed."