In ancient Rome, political speeches and debates were known to include strong harshness and personal attacks. Historians suggest that insults and verbal attacks were common in the political discourse of the … See more

An example of an unintentional insult may be not tasting a dessert made by a host. Comments made carelessly can also become unintentional insults. Another example could … See more

A backhanded (or left-handed) compliment, or asteism, is an insult that is disguised as, or accompanied by, a compliment, especially in situations where the belittling or condescension is intentional.
Examples of … See more

Verbal insults often take a phallic or pudendal form; this includes offensive profanity, and may also include insults to one's sexuality. There are also insults pertaining to the … See more

Lacan considered insults a primary form of social interaction, central to the imaginary order – "a situation that is symbolized in the 'Yah-boo, so are you' of the transitivist quarrel, the original form of aggressive communication".
Erving Goffman See more

A personal attack is an insult which is directed at some attribute of the person.
The Federal Communications Commission's personal attack rule defined a personal attack as one made … See more

Insults in poetic form is practiced throughout history, more often as entertainment rather than maliciousness. Flyting is … See more