A term with historical legal meaning relating to certain sexual acts; now considered offensive and archaic.
From Middle French 'bougre,' derived from Old French 'bougre,' originally referring to Bulgarian heretics (Bogomils) in medieval Europe. The term was applied as an insult and became criminalized in English law.
This word shows how medieval religious prejudice became embedded in criminal law—laws against 'buggery' remained on British and American statute books until the late 1900s, prosecuting behavior that medical science confirmed was a natural part of human sexuality.
Legal term criminalizing male same-sex acts from medieval Europe onward. Weaponized against LGBTQ+ men; erased diverse same-sex relations and created false moral/legal distinctions.
Avoid in modern contexts except historical legal analysis. Use 'same-sex relations', 'consensual relations', or specific legal terminology when necessary.
["same-sex relations","consensual relations","sexual conduct"]
LGBTQ+ historians have reclaimed and contextualized this term; use their scholarship (e.g., Rictor Norton) to inform historically accurate language.
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