An old urban legend goes somethin' like this:

In olden times, when adultery was still illegal (or at least the laws enforced,) those caught in the act would be sentenced to a day in the pillory, with a large sign hung beneath that read: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.

So, according to myth, the acronym "FUCK" became a popular insult for adulterers, and eventually acquired the meaning it still has today.

Of course, this is utter nonsense. See the entry for fuck for a detailed etymology.

The acronym varies from legend to legend. Popular versions include Fornication Under Consent of the King and Fornication Under Christ, King.

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