# other meanings of 'fag' in UK slang **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 10, 2018, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684 "2018-07-10T22:22:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/41 "2018-07-12T01:17:22Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > Fags was also the name of a candy cigarette \ > … they cunningly [changed the name](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FADS_Fun_Sticks) And yet, we still have [Coon Cheese](http://www.coon.com.au) 😃 (Yes, I know it was the founder’s name, but still …) ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/42 "2018-07-12T03:30:31Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > CS Lewis wrote about it in his autobiography. I think it was Lewis who recorded that he was made to stand with his ear just slightly away from a door jam, then clipped on the side of the head so that his head hit the door jam and his ear was pinched – a procedure he described as sounding harmless. He also recorded that WWI was not a fate he would have wished on them, but wasn’t as bad as school Most if not all his bullies died there. He himself was lucky enough to be injured. A faggot is also what is now called a bouquet garni. Curse those damn right-wing hompphobics for stealing a good English word from us… ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/43 "2018-07-12T04:30:28Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > Fags is still common for cigarette in Australia. > > Fags was also the name of a candy cigarette [a white sugary stick about the size of a chupachup stick with a red end] … 😕 “Chupachup stick”? ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/44 "2018-07-12T04:39:01Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > … > A faggot is also what is now called a bouquet garni. … A faggot of some or other twiggy herbs is in the generally accepted etymology of faggot the meat concoction. Whatever its components in English cooking, one of the standard herb bundles in French cooking (basically thyme, basil, parsley) is known as bouquet garnie in every kitchen with the classical French method. Would Jamie Oliver suggest on YouTube we put a faggot of herbs in a stew? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/45 "2018-07-12T04:58:36Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > 😕 “Chupachup stick”? A quite popular brand of lollipop ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/46 "2018-07-12T04:59:11Z")
I doubt it. Faggot in that sense suggests definite woodiness, as in bundles of twigs used for brooms or as kindling for fires (both of which suggest an association with witches, which in turn links to the use of the word for a disagreeable old woman). ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/47 "2018-07-12T05:08:54Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > In British public schools (which are private, like Eton, don’t ask) there was a tradition of the older boys using the younger boys as de facto servants. Those younger boy slaves were called fags. Both your cites seem to reference that. Pre-cigarattes, didn’t “fag” and “faggot” refer to the coals in a fireplace? The younger boys would have had to tend to those. (And get boned in the ass. Hey, this _is_ English public school we’re talking about.) ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/48 "2018-07-12T05:11:59Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Would Jamie Oliver suggest on YouTube we put a faggot of herbs in a stew? Yes, one can have a faggot of herbs (maybe even in the USA? Hard to see how a misunderstanding could arise from that particular phrasing. Then again, there were users who had issues with Facebook after they asserted their fondness for faggots and peas, so maybe one would want to err on the safe side.) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/49 "2018-07-12T05:15:07Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Yes, one can have a faggot of herbs (maybe even in the USA? Hard to see how a misunderstanding could arise from that particular phrasing. Then again, there were users who had issues with Facebook after they asserted their fondness for faggots and peas, so maybe one would want to err on the safe side.) Trust me when I say there were no “faggot of herbs” in West Texas. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/50 "2018-07-12T05:55:00Z")
> [@pool](#): > > Well there is another use for fag in the American vernacular other than an anti-gay slur, it’s pretty common at least when I grew up for young men to call other men that, usually for being a whiny bitch. 😕 That’s the same use. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/51 "2018-07-12T06:07:50Z")
Maybe whiny bitch isn’t close enough but more like annoying… ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/52 "2018-07-12T14:18:15Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Yes, one can have a faggot of herbs (maybe even in the USA?.. [underline added] Never. Ever. No-one, including chefs and cooks, would ever know the word outside it’s normal pejorative meaning, let alone its etymology (except for us, smarties all) and could even hazard a guess that something related to a food product was being referred to. Word to the wise, Jamie Oliver. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/53 "2018-07-12T17:53:33Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Just a quick question on national usage, or on **dstarfire** usage: are the words “spaghetti hoops” part of a direct quote from Stephen maybe-Fry, or your words? > > Because I think most if not all Americans have never said it or even understand it on first hearing. Canned spaghetti bolognese (really just a canned meat ragu) on toast is no doubt what he’s referring to, which is called…something Spag Bol…or something. (Help me out here Brits.) As others have said, they are what Americans call SpaghettiOs. And they are responsible for the immortal [introductory lines](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lt2U7_NImQ) by Gene Hunt in _Life on Mars_: > [@](#): > > I’m Gene Hunt. Your DCI. And it’s 1973. Nearly dinner time. I’m ‘avin’ 'oops. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/54 "2018-08-03T01:19:07Z")
Just with the boy looking a candy in the market, and he asked me what “FADS” are. He’s not even really familiar with smoking, much less candy cigarettes, so I explained that concept to him. I didn’t even try to explain why they are called “FADS”, and he didn’t even think it needed any more explanation than “Pepsi”. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/55 "2018-08-03T10:14:43Z")
At least they didn’t change the name to TABS 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HowSoonIsThen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@HowSoonIsThen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HowSoonIsThen)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/56 "2018-08-05T04:45:50Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > Fags is still common for cigarette in Australia. Would you mind me asking how old you are and where in Australia you’re from? Only because I’m late 20s from Sydney and have only heard the American usage. Assuming it might be generational and/or regional. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/57 "2018-08-05T06:12:36Z")
> [@HowSoonIsThen](#): > > Would you mind me asking how old you are and where in Australia you’re from? Only because I’m late 20s from Sydney and have only heard the American usage. Assuming it might be generational and/or regional. Dont tell anyone but late 50s, Sydney. I mainly know older smokers - smoking is pretty rare among younger people I know. There might be a communication / social gap between the old smokers, who sometimes say they feel like criminal pariahs and you youngsters. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/58 "2018-08-05T10:35:03Z")
> [@HowSoonIsThen](#): > > Would you mind me asking how old you are and where in Australia you’re from? Only because I’m late 20s from Sydney and have only heard the American usage. Assuming it might be generational and/or regional. Not regional, but also perhaps slightly working-class, and probably not only because the upper classes smoked less and quit smoking sooner. ---
**Author:** ![blob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blob/32/489_2.png) [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/59 "2018-08-05T12:22:22Z")
> [@HowSoonIsThen](#): > > I’m late 20s Things have changed quite a lot since they have restricted smoking and banned it in most public places. You don’t really encounter smokers in the normal course of things the way you used to before they had to scurry off and hide in doorways, so you don’t really hear them asking for their “pack of fags” or the like the way we used to when they were “mainstream”. ---
**Author:** ![HowSoonIsThen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@HowSoonIsThen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HowSoonIsThen)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684/60 "2018-08-05T22:52:04Z")
I guess it’s true, I’m not a smoker and it is pretty easy to avoid being around smoking these days. Of my friends that smoke, if they were to use a slang term they’d be more likely to say durries. Being brought up on 90s and 2000s American tv has probably made the anti-gay definition the primary one amongst my generation. Enough so that I feel uncomfortable using the word, even in obviously non-homophobic contexts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-meanings-of-fag-in-uk-slang/817684.md?page=4)