Effs

/ɛfs/ verb

Definition

Third-person singular present of 'eff,' meaning to say or spell out the letter F, or euphemistically to express using the F-word.

Etymology

A playful alteration or representation of the letter F itself; used as a euphemistic verb to avoid saying explicit words, especially common in the phrase 'eff off' (milder version of a cruder phrase).

Kelly Says

Language has always had 'minced oaths'—polite ways to say rude things—and 'eff' is a modern version where the letter name itself becomes the euphemism, letting people express frustration while technically being more polite.

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