I thought that it might be of interest to expand our knowledge of fig related word origins, definitions, unpleasantness, vulgarity and some fun facts from antiquity.  I am interested in many aspects of ficus carica.   This includes good varieties, cultivation techniques, biological aspects, ancient history and whatever else comes along.   I haven’t cracked up (at least not yet) but thought this might be informative, a bit entertaining or even shocking.

 I have divided up the initial pile of data into three sections and will roll out a new episode after some time passes.

 The information, although far from exhaustive, comes from old and current books, and from online sources.  Sources listed below the main text [ ].

 Ingevald

Some Modern Definitions - Fig

• Fig - Middle English, from Old French figue, from Old Provençal figa, from Vulgar Latin fica, from Latin ficus. [1]  
• Fig – also used to describe a prickly pear fruit and perhaps fruits of other plants.
• Fig – Dress: array:  in full fig [1]
• Fig – Physical condition; shape,  in fine fig [1]
• Fig – A trivial or contemptible amount; not worth a fig; didn’t care a fig  [1]
• Fig – (used with a negative) something of a negligible value I don’t care a fig for your opinion

 Some Slang Definitions – Fig, figs, figging, figged

• (individual sports and recreations/Horse racing) to administer stimulating drugs to (a horse) [1]
• dress, appearance, or array – in full fig [1]
• physical condition or form - in bad fig [1]

Vulgarity

• Fig – Also called fico, an insulting gesture made with the thumb between the first two fingers or under the upper teeth [1] 
• In French the term is Faire la figue meaning “to give you the obscene finger gesture of contempt”  The Spanish phrase is Hacer la higa.   Pictures of these vulgar gestures can be viewed on Google images.  
• According to [2] – from the Whole Ball of Wax (1988) by Laurence Urdang – it is pointed out that the natural shape of the fig has much to do with its sexual implications. “When one encounters fresh figs growing or even in a market, it becomes clear why their visual appearance has given rise to so many translinguistic metaphors.”[2]   It is clear that the fruit resembles both male and female private parts.

One of the best collections of this information is in Ira Condit’s The Fig on pages 1 through 8. (a link is provided below [7]).   There is too much dense information in Condit’s book to include here.   I highly recommend reading through it for the interesting stories, not to mention its value as a fig cultural guide.

Another interesting article comes from Monticello titled "Vulgar" Fruit or "Wholesome" Delicacy by Peter Hatch. [12]  Click the link here.

Resources:

[1]  The Free Dictionary by Farlex   (click the text to get to the source)

[2]  QPB Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson, 4^th edition.

[7] The Fig by Ira Condit  1947    (click the text to get to the source) 

[12] "Vulgar" Fruit or "Wholesome" Delicacy by Peter Hatch
 

intresting

hmm.. fig looks nothing like male/female sex organs. well.. no, it doesn't. maybe.. nah...

Ingevald,
Excellent post. 

Pete,
I can understand the male thing - I mean I have a variety called bull's balls but the female . . . hmm I guess when Tanya comes over I can . . . 

My contribution
Συκευς     Sykeus     Syceus     Fig-tree (sykea)
SYKEUS (or Syceus) was one of the Gigantes who waged war on the gods. Fleeing from Zeus, his mother Gaia (the Earth) hid him in her bossom, transforming him into the first fig-tree.

PARENTS
GAIA (Athenaeus 78a)
Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae 78a (trans. Gullick) (Greek rhetorician C2nd to C3rd A.D.) :
"Speaking of the name given to figs (sykon), Tryphon, in the second book of the History of Plants, says that Androtion, in the Farmer’s Handbook, tells the story that Sykeus (Syceus), one of the Titanes, was pursued by Zeus and taken under the protection of his mother, Ge (the Earth), and that she caused the plant [the fig-tree] to grow for her son's pleasure; from him also the city of Sykea in Kilikia (Cicilia) got its name."

THE HAMADRYADES were eight Dryad nymph daughters of the forest spirit Oxylos ("Of the Forest") and Hamadryas ("With the Tree"), who inhabited Mount Oita in Phthiotis.
Each of the eight nymphs presided over a particularly type of tree:--
Aigeiros was the nymph of the black poplar (Populus nigra);
Ampelos the nymph of the vine, including the wild grape (Vitis silvestris), bryony (Bryonia creticus), black bryony (Tamus communis) and the wrack (Fucus volubilis).
Balanis the nymph of acorn-bearing trees such as the holm (Quercus ilex) and prickly-cupped (Quercus aegilops) oaks;
Karya the nymph of the nut tree, both the hazel (Corylus avellana) and walnut (Juglans regia), and possibly also the sweet chestnut (Castanea vesca);
Kraneia the nymph of the cornelian cherry tree (Cornus mas);
Morea the nymph of the mulberry tree (Morus nigra) or else the wild olive;
Ptelea the nymph of the European elm (Ulmus glabra);
and Syke the nymph of the fig tree (Ficus carica).
The parents of the Hamadryades, Oxylos and Hamadryas, may also have presided over specific trees, for oxua in Greek sometimes refers to the beech tree (Fagus silvatica), and drus the holm oak (Quercus ilex).


KARYA, BALANOS, KRANEIA, MOREA, AIGEIROS, PTELEA, AMPELOS, SYKE (Athenaeus 78b)
Athenaeus, Deipnosophistae 1. 78a (trans. Gullick) (Greek rhetorician C2nd to 3rd A.D.) :
"The Epic poet Pherenikos, a Herakleto by birth, declares that the fig (Sykon) was named from Syke (Fig-Tree), the daughter of Oxylos (Thick with Woods); for Oxylos, son of Oreios (Mountain), married his sister Hamadryas (Oak-Tree) and begot among others, Karya (Nut-Tree), Balanos (Acorn-Tree), Kraneia (Cornel-Tree), Morea (MulberryTree), Aigeiros (Black Poplar-Tree), Ptelea (Elm-Tree), Ampelos (Vines), and Syke (Fig-Tree); and these are called Nymphai Hamadryades, and from them many trees derive their names. Hence, also, he adds, Hipponax says: ‘The black fig-tree (syke), sister of the vine (ampelos).’"

‘Hero and king, Phytalus here welcome gave to Demeter, august goddess, when first she created fruit of the harvest; sacred fig is the name which mortal men have assigned it. Whence Phytalos and his race have gotten honours immortal.’"

Thank you very much for your interesting comments and contributions.  Very interesting stuff!   I'll get the next installment posted in a day or two.
Ingevald

Cool stuff. The hand gesture mentioned under "Vulgarity" is also called the "fig hand." It is made to ward off the evil eye and bad spirits in old European culture. It is similar in nature to the "Devil's horns" gesture the late rockstar Ronnie James Dio used to do on stage. Same deal. He said his Italian grandmother used to do it to chase away bad luck.