The ABC of insulting people! Taboo, or not taboo, that is the question.
The words below are basically useless for you. There’s a TABOO element to them that foreign language learners are not always aware of. As a consequence, we should avoid using them altogether. That said, some fun can nevertheless be had by practicing them with your dear partner. 😊 (.doc , PDF )
| Take turns saying these lines to your partner LIKE YOU MEAN IT! Then change roles. | Take turns saying these lines to your partner LIKE YOU MEAN IT! Then change roles. |
| A
Why do you always do that, you airhead! |
B
You’re a fine one to talk, dork! |
| Megadork! | Birdbrain! |
| Dummy! | Doofus! |
| Meathead! | Butthead! |
| Shut up, you deadhead! | You first, numbskull! |
| Pinhead! | Twerp! |
| You’re a few sandwiches short of a picnic! | Your elevator doesn’t run to the top floor! |
| Schmuck! | Pipsqueak! |
| Nincompoop! | You clod! |
| Nitwit! | Moron! |
| Dolt! | Jerk! |
| Twit! | Blockhead! |
| Dimwit! | Dumbbell! |
| Imbecile! | It takes one to know one! Hah! |
| Get off my case, you clown! | Oaf! |
| Fool! | Bonehead! |
| You’re not playing with a full deck! | You’re not all there! |
| You’ve lost your marbles! | You don’t know which way is up! |
| Jackass! | Weirdo! |
| You don’t know your ass from a hole in the ground! | Dipshit! |
| Knucklehead! | Cretin! |
| Nerd! | You’re soft in the head! |
| Sucker! | Yokel! |
| Dunce! | Numbskull! |
| Harebrain! | Klutz! |
| Loser! | Softhead! |
| Plonker! | Slob! |
| You’re slow on the uptake! | You’re so fake Barbie is jealous! |
| Stop trying to be smart ass, you’re just an ass! | Brains aren’t everything. In your case they’re nothing! |
| Wanker! | Bastard! |
| Douchebag! | You’re a pain in the ass! |
| Chicken! | Creep! |
| Dirtbag! | Freak! |
| Joker! | Liar! |
| Lunatic! | Pervert! |
| Scumbag! | Son of a bitch! |
| Zitface! | Deadbeat! |
| Nutter! | Geek! |
| Prat! | You’re mad! |
| Swine! | Wacko! |
| Fruitcake! | Tosser! |
| Dweeb! | Wimp! |
| You’re not right in the head! | Scatterbrain! |
| You’re just plain nuts! | You’re off your rocker! |
| You have a screw loose! | Psycho! |
| Loony! | You’re gaga! |
| You’ve flipped your lid! | You’re bananas! |
| You’re bonkers! | You’re crazy as a loon! |
| I didn’t mean it when I said all those things to you! Friends? | Okay. It’s water under the bridge. |
Compiled by MAXX
The ABC of insulting people 3.0 as a WORD-document. Enjoy! Here’s the PDF
- Alternative cuss words (field-tested and mother approved)
- Good grief! (and others like it)
- Mother approved mild expletives , Funny insults
- Creative insults and comebacks , More Creative insults and comebacks
- How to swear in front of KIDS? (A Facebook thread shows how)
- No kids in sight this time. What do you say when you stub your toe and it’s painful?
- How to call someone stupid
- “You’re so fake Barbie is jealous!” and a hundred more expressions like it!
- “You have a screw loose!” and a hundred more expressions like it!
- “You’re crazy as a loon!” and a hundred more expressions like it!
- “You’ve flipped your lid!” and 99 others!
- “Your face is so ugly …” – Find your favourites among 100 choices!
- “When you were born, …” – 100 imaginative ways to insult a newborn.
- “Your mother …” – Insulting someone’s mother always works! Here’s 100 choices.
- “You’re so dumb …” – How dumb can you be? Here’s 100 alternatives.
- “Your X is so Y, Z!” – Usually harmless fun to be had with these insults. 100 instances cater to most needs.
- “You’re as X as Y!” – What you need is convincing insults. Otherwise your target might just be ROTFL.
- “If X were Y, you’d be Z!” – These probably won’t scar your target mentally for life.
- “Did you X your Y in Z?” – Ditto with these.
- “You’re proof that …!” – The proof of the insult is in trying it out.
- “You’re so X … !” You’re so uncoordinated, you couldn’t pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel. And 99 others that cover most bases. “X is your Y!” might sometimes do the trick.
-
“ I’ve had bowel movements more attractive than you!” – … and others in the same vein.
- “If wisdom were an ocean, you must be a puddle!” – … and plenty of other choices.
- “You look like something the cat dragged in!” – Commenting on someone’s appearance just got easier.
- “You’re not the brightest crayon in the box!” – Insulting someone’s intellect can come in handy.
- “If you were any more X, you’d be Y!” – Adjectives in the limelight.
- How to diss someone who won’t get off your case
-
Insults That Sound Like Compliments – 100 backhanded compliments
Hey, wait a minute! Are we going to take all this abuse sitting down? No way, José! Twisted Sister gave us a voice with their We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore! Here’s Clever comebacks to classic insults!

Here’s some further reading for those of you who got interested. This language is NOT mother approved so proceed with caution!
- The Top 50 Most Beautiful British Insults , 180 Best Insults to Destroy Your Enemies
- Swear words ranked from mild to strongest
- Ciara professes to have the definitive list (the explanations are indeed welcome)
- This list is only for the completely desensitized potty mouths
- What would be the uniquely most popular swear word in each state? Live and learn.
- 10 insults in English that polite teachers don’t teach (Go ahead, you’ve seen them before. If not, have you been living under a rock or something?)
- Insults from different countries
- Commenting on someone’s weight. These have the sensitivity of nitroglycerin to hurt, so proceed with caution.
- Finnish insults
- The most used swear words in European countries (Note the asterisk over the UK.)
- Street English vs. Polite English: F*ck & Sh*t
Stuff we somehow skip in class: How to use f*ck and sh*t in a sentence N.B. They are taboo words and only to be used by natives who know their sh*t. Who am I kidding? Just be really careful with these! 🙂
While the word “f*ck” is rarely covered in formal curricula, it’s one of the most versatile and widely used taboo words in English, with rich syntactic flexibility, emotional force, and cultural impact. Below is a breakdown of how “f*ck” functions in different syntactic roles, including noun, verb, adjective, interjection, and intensifier — all with sample sentences.
🔹 1. As a Verb (transitive & intransitive)
Used literally or figuratively.
a) Literal (sexual):
- He f*cked her and then left without saying a word.
- They were f*cking in the backseat.
b) Figurative (to mess up / ruin):
- I totally f*cked up my interview.
- You really f*cked things over this time.
c) Passive voice:
- We got f*cked by the referee in that game.
- I’m so f*cked if I fail this test.
🔹 2. As a Noun
Can refer to a person, an act, or an insult.
a) The act:
- That was a good f*ck, I won’t lie.
- All he thinks about is getting a f*ck.
b) An insult:
- That lazy f*ck didn’t do a thing.
- Who is that arrogant little f*ck over there?
c) As a unit of care (usually negative):
- I don’t give a f*ck what he says.
- Not a single f*ck was given.
🔹 3. As an Adjective
Used for emphasis or insult.
- Where’s my f*cking phone?
- This f*cking weather is driving me nuts.
- That’s a f*cking stupid idea.
Note: Often used with negative emotion or intensity, but in informal circles, it can also show admiration:
- That was a f*cking awesome movie.
🔹 4. As an Adverb or Intensifier
(technically still adjectival or adverbial)
- He’s f*cking hilarious.
- I’m f*cking tired of this.
- This is f*cking unbelievable.
🔹 5. As an Interjection / Standalone
Expressing emotion — anger, surprise, frustration, etc.
- F*ck! I forgot my keys.
- Oh f*ck, that hurts!
- Well, f*ck me… that was unexpected.
🔹 6. In Compound Expressions
Common fixed phrases and idioms:
- F*ck off – Go away
Just f*ck off and leave me alone.
- F*ck up – Make a mistake / ruin something
You f*cked it up again.
- F*ck around – Waste time / mess about sexually
Stop f*cking around and get to work.
- F*ck with (someone) – Bother or tease someone
Don’t f*ck with me.
- F*ck over (someone) – Betray or deceive
He f*cked me over in the deal.
- F*ck it – Give up or accept failure
F*ck it, I’ll just start over.
- Fck yeah / Fck no – Strong agreement or rejection
F*ck yeah, I’m in.
🔹 7. As a Placeholder or Modifier
To replace a word when angry, excited, or emphatic.
- What the f*ck is that?
- Who the f*ck are you?
- How the f*ck should I know?
🔹 8. Creative Uses in Pop Culture
Writers, comedians, and speakers love to exploit its flexibility:
- “That’s a no-f*cks-given attitude.”
- “He’s running out of f*cks to give.”
- “Zero fcks. Negative fcks.”
🔹 Quick Functional Summary
| Function | Example |
| Verb | She f*cked it up. |
| Noun | He’s such a f*ck. |
| Adjective | This f*cking rain won’t stop. |
| Interjection | F*ck! That was close. |
| Intensifier | I’m f*cking exhausted. |
| Idiomatic | I don’t give a f*ck. |
📄 1. Classroom-Friendly Handout (with toned-down versions)
Title: “The Many Faces of Fck” — A Guide to a Taboo but Common Word in English*
For Educational Purposes Only
🔹 Functions of “F*ck” in Real English + Cleaner Alternatives
| Role / Use | Sample Sentence (with F*ck) | Cleaner / Toned-Down Alternative |
| Verb (sexual) | He f*cked her last night. | He slept with her. |
| Verb (mess up) | I f*cked up the whole project. | I screwed up / messed up the project. |
| Noun (person) | That lazy f*ck didn’t help at all. | That jerk / idiot didn’t help at all. |
| Noun (act) | He just wants a quick f*ck. | He just wants a hookup. |
| Adjective | This f*cking traffic is insane. | This freaking traffic is insane. |
| Adverb | She’s f*cking amazing at this. | She’s absolutely amazing at this. |
| Interjection | F*ck! That hurt! | Darn it! That hurt! |
| Expletive / Q | What the f*ck is going on? | What the heck is going on? |
| Angry goodbye | Just f*ck off, will you? | Go away / Get lost, will you? |
| Despair / Giving up | Ah, f*ck it. | Forget it / Never mind. |
| No concern | I don’t give a f*ck. | I don’t care at all. |
⚠️ Important Notes for Students
- F*ck is considered very strong language. Use with great caution — not in school essays, formal emails, or polite company.
- In pop culture and informal speech, it is common and versatile, but tone and context matter a lot.
- If in doubt: use cleaner alternatives or express frustration more politely.
✅ Suggested Classroom Exercise (Optional)
Rewrite each of the following sentences with a toned-down or polite alternative:
- “F*ck! I missed my train.”
- “He totally f*cked up the group project.”
- “This f*cking math test is impossible.”
- “Who the f*ck left the door open?”
- “She doesn’t give a f*ck what people think.”
📊 2. Street English vs. Formal English Table
| Emotion / Idea | Street English | Formal / Polite English |
| Anger | F*ck this nonsense! | I’m extremely frustrated by this. |
| Surprise | F*ck me, that was wild! | Wow, that was surprising! |
| Mistake | I f*cked up the report. | I made a serious mistake. |
| Dismissal | F*ck it, I’m done. | I give up / I’ll let it go. |
| Not caring | I don’t give a f*ck. | I couldn’t care less. |
| Insult (mild) | That guy’s a total f*ck. | That guy’s a jerk / a real piece of work. |
| Anger at someone | F*ck off! | Please leave me alone. |
| Intensity (positive) | That was f*cking amazing! | That was absolutely amazing! |
| Emotion (shock) | What the f*ck?! | What on earth?! / What’s going on?! |
| Sexual reference | They f*cked last night. | They slept together. |
Like f*ck, the word sh*t is a highly versatile, emotive, and culturally embedded taboo word in English. It appears in multiple syntactic roles, carries both literal and metaphorical meanings, and is used across a wide range of informal registers — from comic frustration to serious insult to streetwise swagger.
Here’s a full breakdown of “sh*t” in context — with examples by word class and syntactic role, followed by compound expressions and idioms. Each example includes notes on use and tone.
🧠 1. As a Noun
a) Literal (feces)
- There’s dog sh*t all over the sidewalk.
- Someone stepped in sh*t again.
🔹 Use: Very informal, vulgar. Euphemisms include “poo,” “poop,” “number two.”
b) Figurative (worthless stuff or nonsense)
- This phone is total sh*t — it never works.
- That’s a load of sh*t and you know it.
c) Abstract concepts / intangible things
- I’ve got so much sh*t to deal with right now.
- He went through some serious sh*t last year.
d) Possession or property (casual speech)
- Get your sh*t and get out.
- All my sh*t’s in the car.
e) Reaction / expression
- Holy sh*t, did you see that?
- No sh*t, Sherlock.
f) Person (insult)
- He’s such a little sh*t sometimes.
🔧 2. As a Verb
a) To defecate (literal)
- The dog sh*t on the rug again.
b) To ruin, mess up (less common than “f*ck up”)
- He totally sh*t the bed on that one.
(= He failed dramatically)
c) As phrasal verb:
- Sh*t on someone – treat unfairly or disrespectfully
→ Stop sh*tting on everyone’s ideas. - Sh*t out (of something) – be excluded or unlucky
→ We got sh*t out of that deal.
🔹 Use: Very informal and aggressive. Not recommended outside close peer groups.
🎨 3. As an Adjective
a) Describing something bad or worthless
- That was a sh*t movie.
- He’s a sh*t driver.
b) Expressing emotional state
- I feel like sh*t today.
- She looked like sh*t after the exam.
🔹 Alternatives: awful, terrible, useless, rough, exhausted.
🔊 4. As an Interjection / Expletive
a) Surprise, frustration, pain
- Sh*t! I forgot my wallet.
- Oh sh*t, that hurts!
- Ah, sh*t… I missed the bus.
b) Disbelief or amazement
- Sh*t, you’re kidding me!
💬 5. As Part of Idioms and Slang Expressions
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
| Talk sh*t | Speak badly or boast dishonestly | He’s always talking sh*t about me. |
| Take no sh*t | Be assertive; refuse disrespect | She takes no sh*t from anyone. |
| Full of sh*t | Lying or being ridiculous | He’s full of sh*t and everyone knows it. |
| The sh*t | Very impressive (positive slang) | That band is the sh*t! |
| Scared sh*tless | Extremely frightened | I was scared sh*tless during the storm. |
| Sh*t hits the fan | Chaos breaks out | When the truth came out, sh*t hit the fan. |
| No sh*t (Sherlock) | Sarcastic response to something obvious | “Water is wet.” “No sh*t, Sherlock.” |
| Piece of sh*t | Something (or someone) worthless | That car is a piece of sh*t. |
| Shoot the sh*t | Chat idly / informally | We sat around shooting the sh*t. |
| Get your sh*t together | Organize yourself or behave properly | You need to get your sh*t together before finals. |
| Holy sh*t! | Surprise or amazement | Holy sh*t, what a view! |
| Don’t give a sh*t | Don’t care | I don’t give a sh*t what they say. |
| In deep sh*t | In serious trouble | You’re in deep sh*t now. |
🔄 Quick Reference Table
| Function | Example | Clean Alternative |
| Noun (feces) | There’s sh*t on your shoe. | There’s poo / poop on your shoe. |
| Noun (thing) | I have too much sh*t to do. | I have too much stuff to do. |
| Noun (insult) | He’s such a little sh*t. | He’s a brat / a jerk. |
| Verb (defecate) | The cat sh*t in the hallway. | The cat did its business. |
| Adjective | That was a sh*t day. | That was a terrible day. |
| Interjection | Sh*t! I’m late! | Darn it! / Shoot! I’m late! |
| Idiom | When sh*t hits the fan… | When things go wrong… |
Here’s a classroom-friendly worksheet comparing “sh*t” expressions to their polite or toned-down alternatives, formatted for high school students who are ready to understand the real world of English while staying respectful in academic and social contexts.
📝 Worksheet: “Sh*t” vs. Polite English – Say It Without Saying It
Level: B2–C1 (Senior High School)
Objective: Learn how to recognize and replace strong language with appropriate, expressive alternatives.
Note: “Sh*t” is common in informal and emotional English, but not acceptable in formal writing or polite company.
🔹 PART 1: Compare & Translate the Tone
| Informal / Slang Expression (with “sh*t”) | Polite or Neutral Alternative |
| I don’t give a sh*t. | I don’t care. / It doesn’t bother me. |
| This is complete bullsh*t. | This is completely untrue / nonsense. |
| I’ve got so much sh*t to do. | I have a ton of stuff to do. |
| That exam was sh*t. | That exam was really difficult / unfair. |
| Get your sh*t together. | Pull yourself together / Get organized. |
| Don’t talk sh*t about me. | Don’t spread rumors / Stop badmouthing me. |
| He’s full of sh*t. | He’s dishonest / not telling the truth. |
| We’re in deep sh*t now. | We’re in serious trouble now. |
| She looked like sh*t this morning. | She looked exhausted / really unwell. |
| Holy sh*t! | Wow! / Oh my goodness! |
| No sh*t, Sherlock. | Obviously. / That was clear. |
| He’s such a little sh*. | He’s being very annoying / rude. |
| That car is a piece of sh*. | That car is in terrible condition. |
| When the sh*t hits the fan… | When everything goes wrong… |
| Shoot the sh*t with someone | Chat casually / Hang out and talk. |
🔹 PART 2: Practice – Rewrite These Sentences More Politely
Rewrite the following sentences using polite or formal alternatives:
- I feel like total sh*t today.
→ ____________________________________________ - That guy is full of sh*t.
→ ____________________________________________ - Holy sh*t! That was amazing.
→ ____________________________________________ - She doesn’t give a sh*t about school.
→ ____________________________________________ - We’re in some deep sh*t now.
→ ____________________________________________ - Stop talking sh*t about your classmates.
→ ____________________________________________ - Get your sh*t together before the exam.
→ ____________________________________________
🔹 PART 3: Class Discussion or Homework Prompt
What makes a word like “sh*t” so flexible in English?
- Why do people use it?
- When is it okay to use it (if ever)?
- Why should you avoid it in school, emails, and exams?
✅ Closing Tip:
The best English speakers understand strong language but know when not to use it. Politeness isn’t weakness — it’s powerful communication.