Motherfucker (sometimes abbreviated as mofo, mf, or mf'er) is an English language vulgarism. Its literal sense means one who fucks and/or engages in sexual activity with another person's mother, or his or her own mother, although this usage is seldom implied. Rather, it refers to a mean, despicable, or vicious person, or any particularly difficult or frustrating situation. Alternatively, it is used as a compliment, for instance in the jazz community.