Buggery, also known as sodomy in American English, generally refers to anal sex between people or any sexual activity between a human and another animal. The term "buggery" is derived from the French term bougre, which evolved from the Latin Bulgarus or "Bulgarian". The Catholic Church used the word to describe members of the Bogomils, a heretical sect originating in medieval Bulgaria in the 10th century and spreading throughout Western Europe. The first use of the word "buggery" appears in Middle English in 1330 where it is associated with "abominable heresy," though the sexual sense of "bugger" is not recorded until 1555. In legal contexts, "buggery" now typically refers to rape involving anal penetration, especially of minors.
Here are some key points about buggery:
- Buggery generally refers to anal sex between people or any sexual activity between a human and another animal.
- The term "buggery" is derived from the French term bougre, which evolved from the Latin Bulgarus or "Bulgarian".
- The Catholic Church used the word to describe members of the Bogomils, a heretical sect originating in medieval Bulgaria in the 10th century and spreading throughout Western Europe.
- In legal contexts, "buggery" now typically refers to rape involving anal penetration, especially of minors.
It is important to note that buggery is considered an offensive term and is not commonly used in modern English.