May the false declaration be with you

We've upset some of our American readers with our explanation of the word 'faggot', i.e., a bundle of sticks commonly used for burning witches. No explanation required, according to Dave:

Now I fear I shall have to call Dubya up and tell him to bomb the crap out of your dank little island, at least as soon as he's diplomati-fied China up real good, Texas-style. We all know that lovey-dovey stuff with Tony Blair was hogwash anyways.

Well, we always knew that you lot a dictionary lying around there somewhere. Why not use it to look up 'boffin', while you're about it?

So, while we're waiting for the skies to darken with US bombers, let's ponder the etymology of 'faggot'. Anyone care to comment on Cory's theory?:

Homosexuals were heretics and were, as such, burned in those bundles of sticks, an 'faggot' became a code word for a gay burned at the stake. Well, at least that sounds plausible. Anyway. So, in the end, we would have been right anyway. :P Commie bloody brits.

Right, we're off to the bomb shelter. Bye now.