-fag

From fag (“homosexual man, annoying person, etc.”); compare -man. Popularized on the 4chan online community. First attested in c. early 2000s.

For similar semantic drift in slang from derogatory to neutral, ironic or affectionate, compare some senses of bugger, cunt, etc.

-fag

1. (Internet slang, originally 4chan, offensive, derogatory) A suffix combined with an adjective or noun to form a word for a specific type of person, often with a derogatory or irreverent connotation; often further used ironically and/or affectionately.
   • 2008 May 18, Askren [username], “Re: Is Cos and RTC violating U.S. tax law?”, in alt.religion.scientology‎ (Usenet):

     I'll forward this to a few lawfags and see what he^[sic] deal is.

   • 2008 July 11, Onideus Mad Hatter [username], “BTW Lego Newfag”, in rec.toys.lego‎ (Usenet):

     Oh, also, using Outhouse Express...yeah, really shows off what a Usenet newfag you are, just a lil FYI for ya. You might wanna try XNews or Agent or any *REAL* news browser (not a mail client with some sloppily added extras).

   • 2009 June 18, Onslaught Six [username], “Re: I really didn't study for this test”, in alt.toys.transformers‎ (Usenet):

     The pathetic Usenet oldfags will cling to their pathetic, outdated and boring medium as the new-world forumites rule the Interwebs universe.

• This highly-productive suffix is controversial and not likely to be understood properly outside of 4chan-linked and similar imageboard culture. The non-derogatory senses especially may elude many people and be taken for homophobic offense (e.g. compare popularity of normie on most social media vs. normalfag).

• Afg., gaf

Borrowed from Latin -phagus, from Ancient Greek φάγος (phágos, “glutton”), from φαγεῖν (phageîn, “to eat”).

-fag m (noun-forming suffix, plural -fags)

1. -phage

-fag (adjective-forming suffix, feminine -faga, masculine plural -fags, feminine plural -fagues)

1. -phagous

• -fagia

• “-fag” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek -φάγος (-phágos). Related to bóg.

• IPA^(key): /fak/

• Audio

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ak
• Syllabification: fag
• Homophone: fag

-fag m

1. -phage

   ‎bakteria + ‎-fag → ‎bakteriofag

• -fagia

• -fag in Polish dictionaries at PWN