Why is a Fart Called Fart? The Fascinating Journey of a Four-Letter Word

The emission of intestinal gas, a phenomenon as universal as breathing itself, is often accompanied by a certain level of social awkwardness, amusement, or even outright hilarity. Whatever your personal reaction might be, the act is most commonly referred to by a rather direct, four-letter word: fart. But where did the fart term originate? Has it always been considered so… well, blunt? Join us as we embark on a fascinating journey through the annals (needed to double check my spelling there) of linguistics to uncover the etymological roots of this surprisingly resilient word.

The word “fart,” in its capacity as both a noun and a verb describing the expulsion of gas from the anus, boasts a lineage that stretches back centuries . Its immediate ancestors in the English language can be found in the Middle English words ferten, feortan, and farten . Tracing further back, these Middle English terms are closely related to the Old High German word ferzan . This connection across early Germanic languages, including the Old Norse word freta , indicates a long-standing recognition and naming of this natural bodily function within these cultures. The consistency in sound and meaning across these linguistic branches suggests a shared awareness and the necessity to articulate this common experience.  

Delving even deeper into the history of language, we arrive at the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root perd- . This reconstructed ancestral language, from which a vast array of European and Indian languages descended, provides the ultimate origin for our word. The existence of this PIE root, meaning “to break wind,” underscores the incredible antiquity of both the concept and the fundamental sound pattern associated with it. This deep linguistic connection signifies that the act of flatulence has been a basic aspect of human biology and experience for millennia, prompting the development of a shared linguistic term across diverse cultures.  

A key linguistic principle known as Grimm’s Law helps explain the sound shifts that occurred as PIE evolved into the Germanic languages. This law describes how certain consonant sounds underwent systematic changes. In the case of our word, the PIE sound /p/ shifted to /f/, and /d/ shifted to /t/ in Germanic languages . A clear illustration of this is the German cognate furzen, which demonstrates the /p/ to /f/ shift . Understanding this phonetic rule provides a concrete linguistic explanation for the differences between the PIE root and its Germanic descendants, showcasing the predictable nature of language evolution.  

The linguistic family of “fart” extends far beyond the Germanic branch, with cognates echoing across the Indo-European language landscape . Consider the Greek verb pérdomai and noun pordḗ, the Latin pēdĕre, the Sanskrit pardate, the Ashkun pidiṅ, the Avestan pərəδaiti, the Italian fare un peto, the French péter, the Russian пердеть (perdet’), and the Polish pierd . The sheer volume and geographical distribution of these related words emphasize the fundamental nature of this bodily function and the shared linguistic heritage among diverse cultures within the Indo-European family. This widespread presence suggests that the experience of flatulence is a common human biological trait, leading to the development of related words to describe it in various branches of this extensive language family.  

Interestingly, the Swedish language features the word “fart,” but with a completely different meaning: “speed” . This “fart” originates from the Middle Low German word vart, which is related to the English word “fare” . This linguistic coincidence, where the same sound has evolved to represent entirely different concepts in separate branches of the Germanic language family, serves as a compelling example of how language can diverge and develop unique meanings over time.  

The word “fart” has a substantial history within the English language itself. The verb form predates the noun, with its earliest recorded use appearing in Old English (before 1150) . The noun form emerged later, with the earliest known usage around 1390 during the Middle English period . Early written instances of the noun can be found around 1300 in texts like Cursor Mundi and The Proverbs of Hendyng . The earlier appearance of the verb suggests that the action of flatulence was likely named before a specific noun for the expelled gas became common.  

During the Middle Ages, the word “fart” was not necessarily confined to hushed tones. It appears in prominent works of English literature, such as in the well-known canon “Sumer Is Icumen In” and Geoffrey Chaucer’s renowned Canterbury Tales, including “The Miller’s Tale” and “The Summoner’s Tale” . Its inclusion in such significant literary works indicates that while perhaps not a formal term, it was a recognized and even humorous word in common usage during that era.  

Interestingly, the perception of “fart” as a vulgar term has fluctuated over time. In the early modern period, it was not considered particularly offensive, even finding its way into Samuel Johnson’s comprehensive A Dictionary of the English Language published in 1755. Johnson defined it using poems by Jonathan Swift and Sir John Suckling . Furthermore, Benjamin Franklin, a figure of great intellectual standing, prepared an essay on the subject for the Royal Academy of Brussels in 1781, advocating for its scientific study . A ribald poem titled “The Parliament Fart” was even written by Members of Parliament in 1607 as a symbolic protest . These instances suggest that prominent figures openly used and discussed the word, indicating a different societal attitude towards its vulgarity compared to modern times.  

However, the perception of the word shifted again. While not among George Carlin’s original “seven dirty words,” he later suggested it should be added to the list of words unacceptable for broadcast . This highlights a re-emergence of its perceived vulgarity in more contemporary society. Despite this, the word retains a certain flexibility in its usage. It can be employed as an insult, referring to someone as a “boring old fart,” yet it can also function as a colloquial term of endearment or in self-deprecating humor, particularly among those who know each other well . This dual nature demonstrates the complex social dynamics and humor associated with the word. Furthermore, the phrase “not worth a fart,” which dates back to the Medieval period, illustrates its long-standing use in expressing utter worthlessness . This historical idiom shows how even seemingly crude words can become integrated into common expressions to convey specific meanings beyond their literal definition.  

Given the somewhat sensitive nature of the topic, it’s no surprise that a plethora of related words and euphemisms exist to describe flatulence . The medical term is “flatulence,” but in everyday language, we have options like “passing gas,” “breaking wind,” “cutting the cheese,” “tooting,” “pooting,” “blowing off,” and “ripping one” . There are also more colorful and humorous euphemisms such as “dropping a bomb,” “making a stinker,” “cooking some eggs,” “baking brownies,” “air biscuit,” “stepping on a duck,” “cracking a boom-boom,” and “rolling out some thunder” . The sheer number of these alternative terms underscores the social awkwardness surrounding the topic and the human tendency to find indirect, often humorous, ways to refer to it. Historically, there was even the slang term “farting-crackers,” which surprisingly referred to breeches . Additionally, the word “fart” itself has evolved to be used as a noun to describe a detestable person, particularly within the hippie movement of the 1970s . These varied usages highlight the word’s adaptability and its capacity to acquire different connotations across specific subcultures and time periods.  

Cultural attitudes towards flatulence vary considerably around the world . While many societies have established taboos against public displays of flatulence, the severity of these taboos differs. For instance, in some Middle Eastern societies, a guest passing gas after a meal is considered a sign of satisfaction, whereas in places like Baluchistan, Pashtunistan, and Japan, it is viewed with strong disapproval . Humorously, fart jokes have been a staple in various forms of entertainment throughout history, from ancient Sumerian jokes to Chaucerian tales and contemporary films . The existence of “fartlore,” the folklore specifically dedicated to flatulence, further indicates its significant, albeit often unspoken, place in cultural narratives and anxieties . These diverse cultural responses demonstrate that what is considered rude or amusing is not universal and is shaped by social norms and traditions.  

Finally, the sound associated with a fart is a direct result of basic physics . The noise arises from the volume and force of the gas being rapidly expelled through the small opening of the anus. This rapid expulsion causes the tissue around the opening to vibrate, generating the sound we commonly recognize. Understanding this simple physical mechanism adds another layer to our understanding of this often-discussed phenomenon.  

The word “fart” boasts a long and rich history, tracing its roots back to the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. It shares linguistic ancestry with numerous words across a wide range of languages, highlighting the universality of the bodily function it describes. While its perceived vulgarity has shifted throughout history, from appearing in medieval literature and even dictionaries to being considered a taboo word in modern broadcasting, it remains a common and often humorous term in the English lexicon. The existence of numerous synonyms and euphemisms further underscores the complex social and cultural attitudes surrounding this natural, albeit sometimes embarrassing, occurrence.

Table 1: Cognates of “Fart” in Indo-European Languages

Language	Cognate Word (Verb/Noun)	Approximate Meaning
Greek	πέρδομαι (perdomai) / πορδή (pordḗ)	to break wind / fart
Latin	pēdĕre	to break wind
Sanskrit	pardate	he/she breaks wind
Ashkun	pidiṅ	to fart
Avestan	pərəδaiti	breaks wind
Italian	fare un peto	to make a fart
French	péter	to fart
Russian	пердеть (perdet’)	to fart
Polish	pierd	fart

able 2: Historical Occurrences of the Word “Fart”

Time Period	Example/Context	Significance
~1300	Cursor Mundi, The Proverbs of Hendyng	Earliest known citations of the noun “fart” in English literature.
1386-1400	Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales	Demonstrates the word’s use in popular Middle English literature, often for humorous effect.
1755	Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language	Indicates that the word was not considered excessively vulgar during this period, warranting inclusion in a standard dictionary with literary examples.
1781	Benjamin Franklin’s essay for the Royal Academy of Brussels	Shows that a prominent intellectual figure considered the topic worthy of scientific study.
1607	“The Parliament Fart”	Illustrates the use of the word in a political context, suggesting it wasn’t always confined to informal settings.
20th Century	George Carlin’s comedy routines	Reflects a later shift towards considering the word vulgar and unsuitable for broadcast in certain contexts.