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To: SteamShovel

The British refer to cigarettes as fags.


10 posted on 10/10/2010 2:07:59 PM PDT by Enterprise (As a disaster unfolds, a putz putts.)
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To: Enterprise; SteamShovel
The British refer to cigarettes as fags.

I wonder why the British chose that particular slang?

17 posted on 10/10/2010 2:18:31 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (lame and ill-informed post)
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To: Enterprise

I believe it’s short for “faggot”, i.e. a burning brand. The usage dates at least to WWI - Tommies in the trenches would “strike up a lucifer (match) to light your fag”, according to lyrics of the period hit “Pack Up Your Troubles (In Your Old Kit Bag) and Smile, Smile Smile”.


35 posted on 10/10/2010 4:08:27 PM PDT by Argus
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