MILF is an acronym that stands for "Mother I'd Like to Fuck".^[1][2][3] This abbreviation is used in colloquial English, instead of the whole phrase. It connotes a sexually attractive mother.^[1][2][4][5] The phrase's usage has gone from relatively obscure to mainstream in the media and entertainment.

The concept of the MILF predates the term, as exemplified by Mrs. Robinson in the movie The Graduate (1967). It was popularized by the film American Pie (1999), where John Cho's character (simply credited as 'MILF Guy No. 2') used the term to refer to Jennifer Coolidge's character Jeanine Stifler.^[6][7]

A 2007 article in New York magazine stated the evidence that the term had become mainstream included "25,000-plus MILF-branded mugs and tees on Café Press to a rash of hot-mama books (The Hot Mom's Handbook, Confessions of a Naughty Mommy, The MILF Anthology), television shows (Desperate Housewives, The Real Housewives of Orange County, the forthcoming contest Hottest Mom in America, and a pilot in development called MILF & Cookies), and, of course, a concomitant porn genre".^[8] The authors of the article went on to ask, "How exactly did a once-taboo erotic fetish become a widespread, culturally sanctioned ideal, a perverse mix of branding and empowerment?"^[8]

The term yummy mummy is also used along with MILF. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the term as "an attractive and stylish young mother".^[9]

Although not yet as widespread in popular culture at large, the forms DILF (for "Dad/Daddy I'd Like to Fuck") or FILF (for "Father I'd Like to Fuck") are used among androphiles to refer to a sexually attractive older man^[10] who is likely a father.

In 2002, a resident of the U.S. state of Washington applied for a vanity license plate reading "GOTMILF", a parody of the "Got Milk?" advertising slogan. This plate was approved, but it was later canceled after complaints were filed against it.^[11]

The 2003 music video for the song "Stacy's Mom" by the group Fountains of Wayne draws on the theme of a MILF in its storyline.^[12][13]

In December 2007, low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines ran a controversial advertising campaign, using MILF(s) to promote their tropical destinations, based on a different acronym: "Many Islands, Low Fares".^[14] In January 2009, Spirit ran the campaign again.^[15]

The 2018 French comedy film MILF is about three childhood friends who become MILFs seducing three young boys.^[16]

In 2013, an apparel company, True & Co., parodied the phrase in advertising for its line of brassieres, converting it to "Mom I'd Like to Fit". The campaign garnered negative attention for the San Francisco-based company.^[17]

A 2014 article in Playboy magazine by Purdue University sex educator and researcher Justin Lehmiller referenced the work of Sigmund Freud and Alfred Kinsey to explain the fascination with the MILF phenomenon.^[18]

SMILF was an American comedy television series starring, created, written, and directed by Frankie Shaw on Showtime. It is based on Shaw's short film of the same title.^[19] The series' name, SMILF, is a play on the term "MILF," with the "S" standing for "single"^[20] or "Southie" (a nickname for South Boston), or both.^[21] The series was cancelled on March 8, 2019 after two seasons.^[22]