Gay slur

Many people believe in a false origin of the word faggot. The story goes that in the middle ages homosexuals were burned alive just like witches, and the victims were forced to carry the bundle of sticks that would be uses for their burning. Here is an example of someone telling this false story.
The more likely origin is that a bundle of sticks were used in brooms, these were associated with women and similarly to other words such as sissy or pussy, these words were targeted at effeminate men.