motherfucker

Motherfucker (; ), sometimes abbreviated as mofo, mf, or '''''mf'er, or just simply mfer,' is an English-language vulgarism. It is a form of the profanity fuck. In common usage, it is rarely used to refer to one person having intercourse with a woman who is a mother. Rather, the word usually refers to a mean, despicable, or vicious person; or any particularly difficult or frustrating situation. Conversely, it can be used positively, as a term of admiration, as in the term badass motherfucker (), meaning a fearless and confident person.

== Variants == Like many widely used offensive terms, motherfucker has a large list of minced oaths. Motherhumper, motherfugger, ''mother f'er, mothersucker, mothertrucker, motherfreaker, motherlover, mofo, fothermucker, monkey-fighting, motherflower, mother flipper, motherkisser, motherfricker, and many more are sometimes used in polite company or to avoid censorship. The participle motherfucking is often used as an emphatic, in the same way as the less strong fucking. The verb to motherfuck'' also exists, although it is less common. Conversely, when paired with an adjective, it can become a term denoting such things as originality and masculinity, as in the related phrase "badass motherfucker." Use of the term as a compliment is frequent in the jazz community; for example, when Miles Davis addressed his future percussionist Mino Cinelu: "Miles...grabbed his arm and said, 'You're a motherfucker.' Cinelu thanked Miles for the compliment."