Language

Burgundy may be fucked. The northern Rhone Valley is partly fucked,

Though many of the great vineyards face away from the sun. The southern

 Rhone is completely fucked.

   The above is a quotation from an article about wine in a recent New Yorker. There are at least two comments to be made about the language used.

   First, that the word “fucked” is to be found in the New Yorker. This is year 2018; I would bet that that would not have been the case as recently as three years ago. The word would have been on a proscribed list, as it probably still is for many publications. Since the New Yorker is a style setter, its use of the word is, call it liberating.

   The meaning here of “fucked” is not what it was—for an eternity—before a fairly recent shift. I’m a member of that earlier cohort and don’t use the word—out of habit, not squeamishness. It then referred to sexual action. No more.

   “Fucked” now means “screwed up.” To be sure that formulation also needs an explanation.

   Next time---maybe.