Some of the first vocabulary we're taught when learning a new language is animal words. Unfair though it may be (either to the animal or individual, depending on the situation), several animal words can also be used as insults in English.
While I don't generally condone insulting anyone, it is helpful to know what some animal words mean in English slang. (Truth be told, in some cases, there really is no better word to describe an individual than that of our furry, feathery, or scaly friends.) Here are 10 animals, their meanings as insults, and example sentences.
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Comments
Oi there again,
I feel obliged in supporting the author of this interesting blog on the issue that some present day words hava a radically different meaning than the primary one.
A very good example of this shift of meaning is the word "gay". Primarily it meant - happy, jolly, merry, and believe me, it had absolutely nothing to do with sexual preference.
I notice that with time, and as people are able to communicate with each other in a much easier and comfortable way, we are witnessing a trend to use some specific words to denominate any arrisen need - for example, two people from different countries are chatting on skype and one just can't find the right word in english, so he uses an english word having an equivalent meaning in his language. If the choice is accepted by others, then this expression starts it's own life in that specific group, but with time it may spread to distant lands due to internet chats and alike.
Hi AReality, I think we're talking about two different definitions of "ass." Please see the link to the dictionary below. The primary definition is of the animal. The secondary definition, labeled "vulgar" because it is slang, is what you're referring to. My post was not meant to introduce any vulgarity so much as inform on the secondary, slang meaning of the animal, "ass" (or donkey). If someone is behaving foolishly, native English speakers in America call him an ass, not a donkey. I hope this offers some clarification.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ass?s=t
I'm not sure of the origins either, but I will do some research and let you know! It certainly is an interesting topic and I would imagine the use of animals as symbols varies from country to country.
Thanks again for reading.
Haha! "Ass" is slang for a body part, yes, but it is also another, official name for a donkey.
It is true that, from a parent's perspective, Bob was just being honest. But, from a teenager's perspective, Bob was certainly a rat! :)
Thanks for your feedback.
I feel sorry for the animals who have to take the brunt for our human flaws. :)
I agree, AReality. Thanks for your feedback!
Haha! Rysperski, I tend to agree with that. :)
Oi there,
Methinks that comparing any animal - no matter how heinous or detestable it is - to the humans, is an evidently gorss inslult for that animal.