Motherfucker (also contracted forms mother and mofo and, phonetically, in African-American vernacular speech, muthafucka) is a common insult and profanity in the English language and is widely considered obscene and inappropriate. By virtue of its history of usage, motherfucker generally is regarded as African-American in origin. Literally, it accuses one of violating, perhaps, the oldest taboo known to humankind, incest. However, as with most epithets, its use is pejorative, rather than literal. Historically, it was a vicious taunt, a damning insult -- and a veiled allusion to the destruction of black male familial hegemony under chattel slavery. The power of the word was that it attacked one's sense of manhood. Regardless of its historical or cultural context, however, many consider motherfucker the mother of all curse words. The cause of countless barroom brawls and streetfights, it is purported to have sparked at least one prison riot.
Motherfucker has taken on additional meanings through continued use, its evolution being shaped primarily by, again, the African-American community. It has come to mean a formidable or inexorable force, as in the threat: "Payback is a bitch, but revenge is a muthafucka." It is also an expression of disgust or contempt: "Now, ain't that a muthafucka!" Motherfucker also has come to be used in some circles as a general pronoun.
The initials M.F. became a common, more polite substitute for motherfucker, as did the term Maryland farmer in the 1960s and 1970s. The result is an oft-recounted, if somewhat apocryphal, tale of the clueless Maryland Farmers Association writing a letter of protest to a prominent African-American in the news. It seems he called a Capitol Hill politician a "jive Maryland farmer," and the association's members were mightily offended.
The growing use of motherfucker in American popular culture may mean the term through time has become less offensive to some, but some see its increasing ubiquity as a sign of the general coarsening of American society.
Motherfucker has taken on additional meanings through continued use, its evolution being shaped primarily by, again, the African-American community. It has come to mean a formidable or inexorable force, as in the threat: "Payback is a bitch, but revenge is a muthafucka." It is also an expression of disgust or contempt: "Now, ain't that a muthafucka!" Motherfucker also has come to be used in some circles as a general pronoun.
The initials M.F. became a common, more polite substitute for motherfucker, as did the term Maryland farmer in the 1960s and 1970s. The result is an oft-recounted, if somewhat apocryphal, tale of the clueless Maryland Farmers Association writing a letter of protest to a prominent African-American in the news. It seems he called a Capitol Hill politician a "jive Maryland farmer," and the association's members were mightily offended.
The growing use of motherfucker in American popular culture may mean the term through time has become less offensive to some, but some see its increasing ubiquity as a sign of the general coarsening of American society.
by deeceevoice September 15, 2004
(1) "That MOTHERFUCKER owes me fifty dollars"
(2) "Let's get outta this MOTHERFUCKER"
(3) "Where'd that MOTHERFUCKIN' thing go!!??"
(4) "This MOTHERFUCKER is wack, let's get the fuck out!"
(2) "Let's get outta this MOTHERFUCKER"
(3) "Where'd that MOTHERFUCKIN' thing go!!??"
(4) "This MOTHERFUCKER is wack, let's get the fuck out!"
by JEENO October 17, 2003
by xXxPOISON X April 17, 2020
An insult or an explitive, addressing somebody who sleeps (ie. has sex with) one's mother. Often used to describe someone that you hate, but it's also used among close friends as a term of affection.
Still, in a way, a father, stepfather, or stepmother is a motherfucker; who else would be fucking one's mother?
Still, in a way, a father, stepfather, or stepmother is a motherfucker; who else would be fucking one's mother?
Son: "'Sup, motherfucker?"
Father: "I'm your father! Don't talk to me like that!"
Son: "I meant literally. How else do you think I got here?"
Father: "I'm your father! Don't talk to me like that!"
Son: "I meant literally. How else do you think I got here?"
by Lorelili March 14, 2006
by The Buddy Gecko Experience October 19, 2007