I never realized there is an art to insults until I began writing 'The Jade Coterie.'
My two leading ladies are attempting to have it out with words, only they cannot be vulgar due to lady like situations and contests.
So, I looked some "elegant" insults up and to my surprise they exist! Of course not often in the 21st century, but Shakespeare and Churchhill had it down to an art form, and one I wish I could learn.
My doubt- that I won't be able to wrap my writers brain around the style it takes in order to accomplish an elegant insult.
If you are looking for some fun though I did come across a Shakespearean insult generator:
Insult Generator
The insult I enjoyed is : "Thou craven half-faced lout!"
If you check it out please feel free to tell me yours in the comments.
My two leading ladies are attempting to have it out with words, only they cannot be vulgar due to lady like situations and contests.
So, I looked some "elegant" insults up and to my surprise they exist! Of course not often in the 21st century, but Shakespeare and Churchhill had it down to an art form, and one I wish I could learn.
My doubt- that I won't be able to wrap my writers brain around the style it takes in order to accomplish an elegant insult.
If you are looking for some fun though I did come across a Shakespearean insult generator:
Insult Generator
The insult I enjoyed is : "Thou craven half-faced lout!"
If you check it out please feel free to tell me yours in the comments.
20 comments:
That "Thou craven half-faced lout!" sounded more like a tongue twister.... but then Shakespearean lingo is like that I suppose.
I bet it is difficult to come up with insults that don't resort to "you slut" and the like.
Love the Shakespearean insult generator. I got "Thou poisonous fat-kidneyed harpy!" Brilliant!
You're doing the right thing in researching the art of insults. :)
"Thou yeasty swag-bellied horn-beast!"
Heheheee!
I just finished reading CLOCKWORK ANGEL (for the second time, in preparation for reading CLOCKWORK PRINCE). If you haven't read it, it's set in Victorian London, and one of the characters is often outright rude - in very proper English, of course. Perhaps it could inspire your two leading ladies!
I love a great Shakespearean insult.
That is one way to have fun with the research you need to do for your new wip.
I think your reader would understand what is meant by the reaction the other character has. Fun concept! New follower.
"Thou degenerate full-gorged flirt-gill!" sounds juicy to me.
Best wishes on writing!!!
"Thou jarring rough-hewn leprous witch!"
Ouch.
Keep digging, you'll be surprised how many creative ways you can find to insult elegantly :)
Thanks for the idea. I'll have to use that generator for some of my stuff. Although my ladies are generally pretty nice.
Love this post! Elegant insulting is a skill I lack. I have seen people who can insult someone without it sounding like one. I am always awed by that.
My favorite insult from the generator:
Thou saucy hag-born skainsmate!
LOL
That is really funny! The elegant insult...
I can't wait to read some elegant insults, that's pretty cool. Wish I had some. That's a tricky one!
"Thou spongy clay-brained mildewed-ear!"
LOL!! I love it! Thanks for the fun link!! I must memorise some more! LOL!
Take care
x
So I take it "You pompous arse!" isn't eloquent enough?
OMG, ROFL... this reminds me of a southern joke which involves the phrase, "That's nice." :) The joke is too long and dirty for comments. And wow, that is research in depth.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
OMG! In High School, in Honor English, we studied Hamlet most of the time and my teacher passed out a sheet with a list of these insults! Soooo funny!
Churchill was a great at his insults.
Thou pestilent toad-spotted horse-drench!
That was fun :)
Yes, it is important for your characters to stay in character. I think creative insults could be quite engaging in a story.
.......dhole
I got "Thou pragging dismal-dreaming murderous coward!" Phew. Difficult to say. Elegant insults are so much funner than vulgar ones, I think!
Allison (Geek Banter)
Hmm, for some reason I couldn't get it to take my insult. Wahh. Great post.
BTW, Happy Birthday, Summer! I clicked over from your Facebook page.
~ that rebel, Olivia
Oh my gosh I love great dialogue and there is nothing like the art of insult. Just clicked to the generator and it said "Thou perfidious shag-haired skainsmate." I love it! And thank you for sharing this awesome link. :)
"Thou pragging fen-sucked foul deformity!"
Ouch . . . LOL. Thanks for the link to the generator; who knows when that will come in handy!
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