Give a flying fuck

While modern times may have us using this phrase as a substitute for caring (i.e. I don't give a flying fuck what you do, just get me a drink) the true origins aren't quite the same.

The expression dates back to the 1845 in a volume by Thomas Rowlandson entitled: "Pretty Little Games for Young Ladies and Gentleman: With Pictures of Good Old English Sports and Pastimes." Contained within the volume were ten etchings each along side a poem that appears to also be the work of Mr. Rowlandson. The volume celebrated such past-times as fellatio, cunnilingus and others.

In this particular etching a young man and his lady are on horseback at a gallop. Her skirt is raised to show her rear, and his mighty penis is pushed beneath as to enter her vagina. Both faces are flushed with passion and are accompanied by the following verse:

Well mounted on a mettled steed
Famed for his strength as well as speed
Corinna and her favorite buck
Are pleas’d to have a flying fuck.

So think of that the next time you announce that you give a flying fuck. Somebody might just take you seriously.

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References:

Playboy’s Book of Forbidden Words p. 119 Robert A. Wilson, ed. Playboy Press, 1972. 427 Wi69p

Etymology of a Dirty Word: http://www.urbanlegends.com/language/etymology/fuck/fuck_references.html

Etymology: http://www.geocities.com/etymonline/f3etym.htm

I just had to find out, so I did what any researcher would, and fired up DuckDuckGo and did an image search. Sure enough the book exists, and I found a copy of this print. If you doubt me, look here or here. The poem in full reads

NEW FEATS OF HORSEMANSHIP

Well mounted on a mettled steed,
Famed for his strength as well as speed,
Corrina and her favorite buck
Are pleased to have a flying f---k.
While o'er the downs the courser strains
With fiery eye, and loosened reins
Around his neck her arms she flings
Behind her buttocks move like springs
While Jack keeps time to every motion
And pours in love's delicious potion.

To be sure, this looks like a dangerous pastime, that worried-looking "young gentleman" could end up with a fractured penis, and that doesn't sound very nice, Precious, does it? Come to think of it, Corrina doesn't look too happy either.