Meaning & use
the F-slur
Last updated
Meaning
nounusually singularoffensive
A euphemistic label for a highly offensive insult used against gay men or homosexual people; it names the word without repeating it.
Grammar: Used with the and treated as singular: the F-slur is offensive; avoid using it to describe people.
Patterns
- the F-slur
- refer to something as the F-slur
- avoid the F-slur
The report mentioned the F-slur without printing the insult itself.
Editors sometimes use the F-slur when discussing hate speech in class.
Common combinations
- the F-slur itself
- Even quoting the F-slur itself can upset readers, so context matters.
- avoid the F-slur
- The community guidelines tell users to avoid the F-slur and similar abuse.
- refer to the F-slur
- It is safer to refer to the F-slur than to repeat the actual word.
Commonly confused: the F-slur or the F-word?
the F-slur vs the F-word
The F-word usually means a general vulgar swear word, while the F-slur points to a specific anti-gay insult.
Practice
When writing about the insult in a report, what is the safest choice?
Choose one answer.
A euphemism names the term while reducing harm and staying clear. Repeating it can needlessly offend, friend changes the referent, and pretending may hide evidence relevant to the report.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the F-slur”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.