-fag en · X
Etymology
From fag (“homosexual man, annoying person, etc.”). Cf. -man. Popularized on the 4chan online community (see also Christopher "Moot" Poole's tripcode of #faggot). First attested in c. early 2000s. For similar semantic drift in slang from derogatory to neutral, ironic or affectionate, compare some senses of bugger, cunt, etc.
Meanings
-
(Internet, derogatory, morpheme, offensive) Suffix forming pejorative nouns, generally referring to specific types of people; though sometimes ironic or even affectionate.
I'll forward this to a few lawfags and see what he^([sic]) deal is.
2008 May 18, Askren [username], “Re: Is Cos and RTC violating U.S. tax law?”, in alt.religion.scientology (Usenet):The pathetic Usenet oldfags will cling to their pathetic, outdated and boring medium as the new-world forumites rule the Interwebs universe.
2009 June 18, Onslaught Six [username], “Re: I really didn't study for this test”, in alt.toys.transformers (Usenet):Oh, also, using Outhouse Express...yeah, really shows off what a Usenet newfag you are, just a lil FYI for ya. You might wanna try XNews or Agent or any *REAL* news browser (not a mail client with some sloppily added extras).
2008 July 11, Onideus Mad Hatter [username], “BTW Lego Newfag”, in rec.toys.lego (Usenet):
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| -fren | alternative, euphemistic | lexicographic | |
| -frog | alternative, euphemistic | lexicographic | |
| -nigger | alternative | lexicographic | |
| -friend | alternative, euphemistic | lexicographic |
Descendants
Translations (4)
de -schwuchtel (suffix) · yue 撚 (suffix) · fi -homo (suffix) · ja 厨 (suffix)
wikipedia: semantic drift · wikipedia: 4chan · wikipedia: Christopher Poole