Quote:
Originally Posted by smc
I'm writing this while in class as my students work in pairs on correcting some of their writing -- some of which, unfortunately, really sucks. 
The use of "suck" to mean "bad" or "incompetent" (as in "it sucks that you had to take that test" or "he really sucks at swimming") has no apparent, unarguable origin -- as far as I know.
I do know that in the early 19th century it was a nautical term used on occasion by English sailors to denigrate the sea-worthiness of a given ship. When a sailing vessel is poorly constructed, its aft may produce a backwash as it sails through the sea that causes the ship to be "sucked" backwards as it attempt to move forward. In this case, the use of the word suck refers to the action of the sea that is similar to the action of a human sucking in water, but also in this case it is a bad thing. After all, a sailing ship wants to move forward, not be held back because of a poor design.
In the 1950s, when anti-homosexuality was rampant, "to suck" was associated with cocksucking. Since society deemed that bad, the phrase was used more generally (but not as widespread as today).
I remember when I was running track and cross-country that a runner who was aching and beginning to drop out of the race was said to be "sucking wind" (a good runner doesn't suck wind but breathes it as part of a natural motion with the propelling of the body forward at a running pace). Shortened to sucking, one can see how this would translate into "bad" or "incompetent."
These are just some possibilities.
Also, remember that a "sucker" is a "dupe" -- although as a cocksucker I would prefer to be thought of as someone who has simply made a very good choice. |
I've never heard of the seagoing reference to the term. Interesting, and it makes sense.
As to the others, I've often heard runners reference 'sucking wind', but I never associated with the more brad based use of the word to indicate negativity. However, I can absolutely buy in to it's use a derogatory reference to homosexuals in the '50's.
I also think of myself as you do: someone who loves to suck cock that has made a very, very good choice!
