MILF (was Re: change from the bottom up)

[Benjamin Zimmer]

On 5/1/07, David Bowie <db.list at pmpkn.net> wrote:
>
> Well, i'll admit that i was probably thinking of people behaving a bit
> more rationally than they often do in my previous post (particularly
> with regard to language, and especially taboo language), but i'll raise
> my hand as someone who had *never* considered a connection between
> motherfucker and MILF before it was raised on this list.
>
> They're just completely separate spheres to me: Motherfucker describes a
> male (even when used as a term of friendly greeting--"Hey, motherfucker,
> what's up?" has to be directed to a man, not a woman, for me) or a
> thing, while MILF describes a female.

Perhaps you've never heard the Prince song, "Sexy MF"?

http://www.princelyrics.co.uk/song.asp?song=260


--Ben Zimmer

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