Fag

/fæɡ/ noun

Definition

In British English, a cigarette; in older usage, a junior student who does chores for a senior student in British schools; or a bundle of sticks for fuel.

Etymology

From Old Norse 'faggi' meaning a bundle, or possibly from Old French 'fagot.' The school-related meaning evolved in British institutions by the 1700s.

Kelly Says

This word shows how dramatically meaning varies by region—the same word means completely different things in American and British English, making it a perfect example of why context matters in language.

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