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The Art Of Insulting - Introduction

created by Footprints

(thing) by Footprints (23.6 min) (print)   ?   (I like it!) 1 C! Mon Nov 06 2000 at 18:05:38

Table of Contents

Introduction

"What is an insult?" I am often asked. To this I usually reply: "Fuck off, you stupid idiot".
But seriously, what is an insult? Seriously, fuck off.

An insult is defined, in the Collins English Dictionary as "an offensive or contemptuous remark or action." The verb is defined as "to treat, mention or speak to rudely; offend; affront."
But the Collins English Dictionary sucks shit, so we will turn to our own definition, and thus we learn that an insult is "a derogatory way of behaving that causes someone else to feel bad, at the same time causing the person perpetuating the behaviour to feel good."
We must never forget the second part of that sentence, which in fact is the key to insulting. This brings us to the most important sentence of the essay. If you take nothing else with you from this essay, let it be this: Insulting without enjoyment is hoshbosh.
Is hoshbosh a word? Probably not. Certainly Collins English Dictionary doesn't seem to think so. But enough hoshbosh, let's get down to the real stuff.

But first, a word to our female readers:

Of course the fun of insulting is not limited solely to men. Many women, too, can (and should) be insulted. However, in order not to waste space, I have chosen to use the masculine, and omit the feminine. I realize that women reserve the right to be insulted just like men, but please, do you think we really care what a group of people who stains their clothes uncontrollably thinks?


Back to the Preface ... Forward to Chapter I - Why Should I Insult?


printable version
chaos

The Art Of Insulting - Chapter I - Why should I insult? The Art of Insulting The Art Of Insulting - Preface to the Everything2 edition Flaunting your sexuality
Women writers who eroticize gay men for female readers Having an S on a transcript rather than a B The Art Of Insulting - Chapter IV - Parental Insults The Art Of Insulting - Chapter XII- Excerpt from the 1992 World Insulting Championship Final in Brussels (Vassilyevich vs. White)
Dead links in writeups Rule of 72 Reading ahead in comic calendars Three people who are spies and a horse who will also be a spy
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Fuck off Know your pets PlayStation Portable Wandering about with keys dangling from an oversized shoelace around your neck
sex More of The Story of Two Sisters Who Were Jealous of Their Younger Sister Prolog The Art Of Insulting - Chapter X - Indirect Insults
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