Everyone has heard the word, and many have called themselves by it, but not everyone knows the meaning of the word, warlock. I've seen people who have proudly called themselves by this name, considering it to be the male version of a witch, but this idea is wrong, plain and simple. The word, warlock, comes from the Old English "Waerloga" which means Trader, or Oath Breaker, as people often suggest.. Warlock comes from two words: Waer (true") and Leogan ("to lie").
The word may have originated during the 14th century, in Scotland. The true meaning of the word, warlock, is considered to be someone who practices the Black Arts, or devil worship, to be more accurate, hence the term "oath breaker" as in blaspheming against the Judaeo-Christian God. The idea behind it lies strictly in the Christian mentality, where anything non-Christian is looked at as being wicked, and thus, the idea of a warlock came into this mind frame.
Many of those who refer to themselves as a Warlock don't understand the meaning of the word, for if they did, then they would cease to use it, unless of course they prefer to practice the Black Arts. I have no probelm with what anyone chooses to call himself (or herself), but I'd prefer that they would have an understanding of any term before they go around preaching such ideas in the face of those who would ridicule and condemn us.