Put-downs bigger than the sum of their parts
August 6, 2018 10:29 AM Subscribe
Asshat ftw.
posted by gottabefunky at 10:34 AM on August 6, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by gottabefunky at 10:34 AM on August 6, 2018 [7 favorites]
I have frequently used "pillock" with great delight.
Anyone who's watched Top Gear surely hears that word in James May's voice, as in "Clarkson, you pillock!"
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:45 AM on August 6, 2018
Anyone who's watched Top Gear surely hears that word in James May's voice, as in "Clarkson, you pillock!"
posted by Greg_Ace at 10:45 AM on August 6, 2018
Fuckwit.
posted by Cyrano at 10:47 AM on August 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Cyrano at 10:47 AM on August 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
Shitgibbon.
posted by Foosnark at 10:48 AM on August 6, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Foosnark at 10:48 AM on August 6, 2018 [5 favorites]
Motherforking shirtballs!
posted by Flannery Culp at 10:49 AM on August 6, 2018 [9 favorites]
posted by Flannery Culp at 10:49 AM on August 6, 2018 [9 favorites]
Somebody should have called Mssrs. Beavis and Butt-Head about this (cf. fartknocker, buttmunch).
posted by uncleozzy at 10:49 AM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by uncleozzy at 10:49 AM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
From Merriam-Webster: 8 insults MetaFilter users names lurkers might consider before registering made up of a noun and a verb
posted by Fizz at 10:52 AM on August 6, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by Fizz at 10:52 AM on August 6, 2018 [13 favorites]
See also:
square bollock
gormless kumquat
squalid neckbeard
lumpy potato
lifeless mollusc
rife widdler
pasted pie-hole
half-eaten McNugget
rejected doorstop
rabid muskrat
man-shaped cabbage
posted by sfenders at 10:55 AM on August 6, 2018 [7 favorites]
square bollock
gormless kumquat
squalid neckbeard
lumpy potato
lifeless mollusc
rife widdler
pasted pie-hole
half-eaten McNugget
rejected doorstop
rabid muskrat
man-shaped cabbage
posted by sfenders at 10:55 AM on August 6, 2018 [7 favorites]
i'm glad this thread is proceeding just as i had hoped
posted by numaner at 11:11 AM on August 6, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by numaner at 11:11 AM on August 6, 2018 [11 favorites]
My wife's father's go to profanity was "shitballs."
posted by Chrysostom at 11:13 AM on August 6, 2018
posted by Chrysostom at 11:13 AM on August 6, 2018
I had an old professor who was fond of "scatophagus poltroon".
Not really the noun+verb format but I didn't have anywhere else to post.
posted by stinkfoot at 11:14 AM on August 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
Not really the noun+verb format but I didn't have anywhere else to post.
posted by stinkfoot at 11:14 AM on August 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
Trumpsupporter is the nastiest thing I call people these days
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:20 AM on August 6, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:20 AM on August 6, 2018 [8 favorites]
This list contains a couple of V+N compounds (suck-bottle, tattletale), which I've taken a professional interest in and have been collecting for a while. Other insults of this form include:
- lickspittle
- spoilsport
- killjoy
- lackwit
historical favourite: when stephen maturin called someone at the foreign office a "whey-faced nestlecock" and was "obliged to pull his nose"
current favourite: asslord
posted by poffin boffin at 11:25 AM on August 6, 2018 [8 favorites]
current favourite: asslord
posted by poffin boffin at 11:25 AM on August 6, 2018 [8 favorites]
This list contains a couple of V+N compounds.
Don't forget "wankmaggot". That's one of the words used to describe Trump on a sign at the recent London protests.
posted by Paul Slade at 11:49 AM on August 6, 2018 [3 favorites]
Don't forget "wankmaggot". That's one of the words used to describe Trump on a sign at the recent London protests.
posted by Paul Slade at 11:49 AM on August 6, 2018 [3 favorites]
current favourite: asslord
Sir or madam, we are of one mind. May I recommend my preferred variant, "assmaster," should you like to introduce a bit of variety.
I'm glad also to learn the origin of "bumblepuppy." I always thought it was just a nonsensical phrase invented by Aldous Huxley. ("Centrifugal bumblepuppy" is the game being played by children towards the beginning of Brave New World.)
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:56 AM on August 6, 2018 [3 favorites]
Sir or madam, we are of one mind. May I recommend my preferred variant, "assmaster," should you like to introduce a bit of variety.
I'm glad also to learn the origin of "bumblepuppy." I always thought it was just a nonsensical phrase invented by Aldous Huxley. ("Centrifugal bumblepuppy" is the game being played by children towards the beginning of Brave New World.)
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:56 AM on August 6, 2018 [3 favorites]
Fart-catcher, despite having a singularity of form and delicacy of expression which few words can match,
I cannot even express how deeply I admire the author for this one turn of phrase.
posted by solotoro at 11:58 AM on August 6, 2018 [9 favorites]
I cannot even express how deeply I admire the author for this one turn of phrase.
posted by solotoro at 11:58 AM on August 6, 2018 [9 favorites]
These are fun but don't actually use them on your enemies - they're too silly and best used on friends. Use hurtful words of shame and loathing on your enemies. Gut them with their own sword.
posted by stinkfoot at 12:04 PM on August 6, 2018
posted by stinkfoot at 12:04 PM on August 6, 2018
Self-linker
Favorite-hoarder
Mod-botherer
The fucker already not-reader
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:07 PM on August 6, 2018 [7 favorites]
Favorite-hoarder
Mod-botherer
The fucker already not-reader
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:07 PM on August 6, 2018 [7 favorites]
Don't forget "wankmaggot". That's one of the words used to describe Trump on a sign at the recent London protests.
I've specifically been collecting the ones where the V+N compound consist of a verb and its complement (e.g., direct object). A wankmaggot is, presumably, a maggot who wanks—that's a verb and its subject. Now, if a wankmaggot is supposed to be somebody who wanks maggots, well, now we're getting somewhere.
posted by The Tensor at 12:35 PM on August 6, 2018 [5 favorites]
I've specifically been collecting the ones where the V+N compound consist of a verb and its complement (e.g., direct object). A wankmaggot is, presumably, a maggot who wanks—that's a verb and its subject. Now, if a wankmaggot is supposed to be somebody who wanks maggots, well, now we're getting somewhere.
posted by The Tensor at 12:35 PM on August 6, 2018 [5 favorites]
The fucker already not-reader
Is that a portmanteau of "The Motherfucker Already Not-Dropper" and "The Fucking Article Not-Reader"?
posted by The Bellman at 12:37 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
Is that a portmanteau of "The Motherfucker Already Not-Dropper" and "The Fucking Article Not-Reader"?
posted by The Bellman at 12:37 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
ASS BITE
posted by porn in the woods at 12:52 PM on August 6, 2018
posted by porn in the woods at 12:52 PM on August 6, 2018
We may have acronym drift. I parse RTFA as “read the fucker(s) already,” probably influenced by DTMFA.
Perhaps I am an acronym-muddler.
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:57 PM on August 6, 2018
Perhaps I am an acronym-muddler.
posted by GenjiandProust at 12:57 PM on August 6, 2018
Hmm, trying to think of insults I've heard that are noun+verb and aren't explicitly homophobic, racist or misogynistic is hard.
Mostly I prefer a slightly longer form, such as 'mad as a bag of ferrets', 'fat-arsed twit', 'pound shop Enoch Powell' (of Nigel Farage), 'total wazzock', 'few sandwiches short of a picnic', 'tight as a gnat's arse', 'billy no-mates', 'potato headed pillock' or 'thick as day old mince'
Trump though has inspired some great insults.
cockwomble (not specifically Trump, but if anyone fits the definition it's him)
Tiny-Fingered, Cheeto-Faced, Ferret-Wearing Shitgibbon
big orange jobby
Knuckle-brained fart lozenge
fucktrumpet
Now, if a wankmaggot is supposed to be somebody who wanks maggots, well, now we're getting somewhere.
That would be a maggot wanker surely; like a pig felcher (an inaccurate reference I once heard applied to David Cameron post piggate). A wankmaggot I believe is reference to the size of someone's penis, as in they only have a maggot to wank.
posted by Absolutely No You-Know-What at 1:16 PM on August 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
Mostly I prefer a slightly longer form, such as 'mad as a bag of ferrets', 'fat-arsed twit', 'pound shop Enoch Powell' (of Nigel Farage), 'total wazzock', 'few sandwiches short of a picnic', 'tight as a gnat's arse', 'billy no-mates', 'potato headed pillock' or 'thick as day old mince'
Trump though has inspired some great insults.
cockwomble (not specifically Trump, but if anyone fits the definition it's him)
Tiny-Fingered, Cheeto-Faced, Ferret-Wearing Shitgibbon
big orange jobby
Knuckle-brained fart lozenge
fucktrumpet
Now, if a wankmaggot is supposed to be somebody who wanks maggots, well, now we're getting somewhere.
That would be a maggot wanker surely; like a pig felcher (an inaccurate reference I once heard applied to David Cameron post piggate). A wankmaggot I believe is reference to the size of someone's penis, as in they only have a maggot to wank.
posted by Absolutely No You-Know-What at 1:16 PM on August 6, 2018 [2 favorites]
I've always been fond of "chin strap", because there's nothing about it that's overtly insulting, and yet it sounds insulting when you say it in the right tone.
posted by vibrotronica at 1:42 PM on August 6, 2018
posted by vibrotronica at 1:42 PM on August 6, 2018
Damn all of you! I'm sitting at my desk trying to stifle the giggles!
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 1:42 PM on August 6, 2018
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 1:42 PM on August 6, 2018
Shitmonger works rather well here.
My family's favorite insult is to refer to someone as having a severe case of analcephaly.
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 1:44 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
My family's favorite insult is to refer to someone as having a severe case of analcephaly.
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 1:44 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
cmd-f "crouton-petter"... 0 results. BAH!
posted by slater at 2:03 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by slater at 2:03 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
Nerf herder
posted by 4ster at 2:04 PM on August 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by 4ster at 2:04 PM on August 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
FUCKBOI
posted by lollymccatburglar at 2:05 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by lollymccatburglar at 2:05 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
'Lack-linen' is a Shakespearean one.
posted by praemunire at 2:23 PM on August 6, 2018
posted by praemunire at 2:23 PM on August 6, 2018
Compare these to cutthroat compounds.
posted by Mo Nickels at 2:40 PM on August 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Mo Nickels at 2:40 PM on August 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
The first time I heard a friend call another friend a "fartknocker" was a very special, very middle-school moment.
"Shut up, fartknocker."
"What does that even-"
"Dude you knock farts."
Like, as if that explains it.
posted by Phobos the Space Potato at 2:56 PM on August 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
"Shut up, fartknocker."
"What does that even-"
"Dude you knock farts."
Like, as if that explains it.
posted by Phobos the Space Potato at 2:56 PM on August 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
Man-shaped Cabbage is my new band name.
posted by Quasirandom at 2:59 PM on August 6, 2018
posted by Quasirandom at 2:59 PM on August 6, 2018
Turd burglar
posted by the duck by the oboe at 3:37 PM on August 6, 2018
posted by the duck by the oboe at 3:37 PM on August 6, 2018
Fannybaws
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 3:51 PM on August 6, 2018
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 3:51 PM on August 6, 2018
Four channer
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 4:20 PM on August 6, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 4:20 PM on August 6, 2018 [3 favorites]
fartknocker
knockfart
turd burglar
burleturd
See, it's fun!
posted by The Tensor at 4:26 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
knockfart
turd burglar
burleturd
See, it's fun!
posted by The Tensor at 4:26 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
Self-linker
Favorite-hoarder
Mod-botherer
The fucker already not-reader
Hwæt!
posted by curious nu at 4:30 PM on August 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
Favorite-hoarder
Mod-botherer
The fucker already not-reader
Hwæt!
posted by curious nu at 4:30 PM on August 6, 2018 [4 favorites]
Tiny-Fingered, Cheeto-Faced, Ferret-Wearing Shitgibbon
I wish y'all wouldn't soil the good name of the Mustelidae family by associating it with whatever it is The Thing in the White House wears on its head.
posted by Caduceus at 5:32 PM on August 6, 2018
I wish y'all wouldn't soil the good name of the Mustelidae family by associating it with whatever it is The Thing in the White House wears on its head.
posted by Caduceus at 5:32 PM on August 6, 2018
Lickspittle. Great word.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 7:14 PM on August 6, 2018
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 7:14 PM on August 6, 2018
Damn all of you! I'm sitting at my desk trying to stifle the giggles!
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 4:42 PM on August 6 [+] [!]
Damnéd giggle-stifler!
posted by ejs at 8:01 PM on August 6, 2018
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 4:42 PM on August 6 [+] [!]
Damnéd giggle-stifler!
posted by ejs at 8:01 PM on August 6, 2018
Metafilter: agentive and instrumental exocentric verb-noun compunds.
posted by zengargoyle at 8:55 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by zengargoyle at 8:55 PM on August 6, 2018 [1 favorite]
Does Cabbage Head count?
I am fond of Cabbage Head.
posted by Faintdreams at 12:47 AM on August 7, 2018
I am fond of Cabbage Head.
posted by Faintdreams at 12:47 AM on August 7, 2018
Fuckwidget. Learned that one from my son.
posted by MissySedai at 4:16 AM on August 7, 2018
posted by MissySedai at 4:16 AM on August 7, 2018
shit disturber - for that special someone who loves nothing more than creating drama, douchecanoe- an all purpose insult
posted by peppermind at 6:43 AM on August 7, 2018
posted by peppermind at 6:43 AM on August 7, 2018
In the noun-noun world where I live...
Fuckstick
Asshat
Knobwash
Needlebrain (Someone pointed this out to me. Think of it: tiny, metal and it has a hole!)
Also, a former roommate always went with "a dick with ears" which I found evocative.
posted by Cris E at 9:39 AM on August 7, 2018
Fuckstick
Asshat
Knobwash
Needlebrain (Someone pointed this out to me. Think of it: tiny, metal and it has a hole!)
Also, a former roommate always went with "a dick with ears" which I found evocative.
posted by Cris E at 9:39 AM on August 7, 2018
technically Metafilter is a noun-verb endocentric compound, but it's both a compliment and an insult depending on context. And i dunno what the technical word is to describe the word "filter" as both a noun and a verb that describe the same action, but it's neat!
posted by numaner at 10:58 AM on August 7, 2018
posted by numaner at 10:58 AM on August 7, 2018
Compare these to cutthroat compounds.
Oh my god this article is amazing. there are so many wonderful ones in there. Make sure you watch the videos!
posted by numaner at 12:24 PM on August 7, 2018
Oh my god this article is amazing. there are so many wonderful ones in there. Make sure you watch the videos!
posted by numaner at 12:24 PM on August 7, 2018
technically Metafilter is a noun-verb endocentric compound
Meta- is traditionally a bound morpheme in English, but if you were to assign it a part of speech I think you'd have to go with preposition (from the meaning 'beyond'). People also use it adjectivally nowadays ("that's so meta"), but I don't know of any verbal usages.
Filter can be either a noun or a verb, of course, but I think it's being used nominally in Metafilter—it's a kind of a filter, you see, one that's beyond...other filters. So Metafilter is Prep+N or Adj+N, I would think.
posted by The Tensor at 1:35 PM on August 7, 2018
Meta- is traditionally a bound morpheme in English, but if you were to assign it a part of speech I think you'd have to go with preposition (from the meaning 'beyond'). People also use it adjectivally nowadays ("that's so meta"), but I don't know of any verbal usages.
Filter can be either a noun or a verb, of course, but I think it's being used nominally in Metafilter—it's a kind of a filter, you see, one that's beyond...other filters. So Metafilter is Prep+N or Adj+N, I would think.
posted by The Tensor at 1:35 PM on August 7, 2018
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I have frequently used "pillock" with great delight.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:32 AM on August 6, 2018 [2 favorites]