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Thanks to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who used the word to describe President Trump as “a mentally deranged U.S. dotard” this week, Americans rediscovered an arcane, English insult long forgotten. It’s a fun word to say, kind-of naughty, rhyming with the schoolyard word we all know not to use, but perfect as a way to describe someone weak and senile. And trust the Washington Post’s Petula Dvorak to come up with a bunch of great, equally archaic, insults that Trump can use for a great comeback–much better than “Rocket Man”:
- DORBEL, noun, a scholastic pedant, a dolt, from the Dictionary of the Scots Language. Also used interchangeable with the word “dunce”
- DRUXY: adjective, usually referring to wood or timber, having decayed spots in the heartwood. But once used to describe people who may seem good on the outside, but are rotten within.
- CRAPULOUS: adjective, debauched, marked by intemperance, especially in eating or drinking.
- FOPDOODLE: noun, a stupid or insignificant fellow; a fool; a simpleton.
- GORMLESS: adjective, lacking intelligence, stupid.
- GROAK: verb, to look at someone with a watchful or suspicious eye.
- HONEYFUGGLE: Verb, to deceive, cheat or swindle.
- SCOBBERLOTCHER: Noun, someone who avoids hard work like it’s their job.
- SORNER: noun, a person who takes meat and drink from others by force or menaces, without paying for it.
- SNOUTBAND: noun, Old English term for a person who is always interrupting other peoples conversations.
- WANDOUGHT: Noun, A feeble, puny, weak creature; a silly, sluggish, worthless man, another word for impotence.
For some more creative insults, you can check out my older posts, Of Canker-blossomed Fishwives and Faithless Prunes, Shakespearean Insults Infographics, and Famous Writers’ Insults.
Sue Vincent said:
Gormless…or gaumless…. is still very much in use in the north of England 🙂 The dictionaries don’t do it justice… it is one of the few was of pointing out succinctly that the person concerned is not, in fact, usually either unintelligent, stupid or lacking in initiative but that in this instance, that is exactly how they are behaving. They should know better…
One word can convey so much 😉
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Wow, that’s quite the word!
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Sue Vincent said:
We don’t like wasting words in Yorkshire 😉
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Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. said:
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
As world leaders trade insults with personally a lack of flair and imagination, Nicholas Rossis shares some long forgotten words of disrespect with much more colour and velocity.. My personal favourite which I feel could globally apply to those currently playing fast and loose with us all.. is Fopdoodle.. head over and find out what that means! #recommended
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Honeyfuggle needs a comeback.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
They all do 😀
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vanbytheriver said:
I like King Lear’s words the most. Thanks for this one.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
It was pretty tongue in cheek, so I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Alethea Kehas said:
🙂
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brilliantviewpoint said:
I once watched a British show and two male friends got in an argument. Instead of saying, “You are stupid or an idiot,” the friend yelled out, “You have the brains of a baboon.” THAT WAS SO FUNNY! I immediately thought I need to use that phrase on my twin brother, to catch him off guard! Good post.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Oh, there are some delightful insults alright 😀
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dgkaye said:
Great list. And it’s quite evident that the orange one could take some English vocabulary lessons from Rocket man
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – Kim-Trump, 1-0 😀
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dgkaye said:
Lol 🙂
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paulandruss said:
Certainly kept me amused Nicholas. Paul
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yay 😀
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Don Massenzio said:
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
If you liked being introduced to the word ‘dotard’ this past week, this post from Nicholas Rossis’ blog has some other words you might like.
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debyfredericks said:
What annoys me is how some people mispronounce dotard more like dottard. It’s supposed to be DOE-tard, and someone who is elderly and feeble is in their “dotage,” not dottage!
Also, I think “druxy” applies to so many people these days.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you for clarifying that 😀
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mypeacockbooks said:
I’ve heard people still using gormless, although I’d love to hear fopdoodle more often, sounds so very English, lol
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Fopdoodle is such a great one 😀
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patriciaruthsusan said:
I love those words. We need to definitely bring them back. 😀 — Suzanne
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I know, right?? 😀
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