Thread: Did insults ever have class?

Did insults ever have class?

(USING NO FOUR LETTER WORDS)

“These glorious insults are from an era when cleverness with words was still valued, before a great portion of the English language got boiled down to four letter words, uttered by monosyllabic idiots, not to mention the same jerks, waving middle fingers.”


The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor: She said, "If you were my husband I'd give you poison," and he said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."

A Member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease." "That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "on whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."

"He had delusions of adequacy." - Walter Kerr

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill

"A modest little person, with much to be modest about." - Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow

And many more at:
http://www.allowe.com/Humor/book/When%20Insults%20Had%20Class.htm

Yes, like comedy, insults were once issued with class but even as we see around here they are now relegated to sophomoric use of curse words.

Au contraire - those insults were delivered by Britons. That's the difference. I've never met someone from the UK who didn't make me feel like I got gyped in the Canadian public school system.

Originally Posted by Stinger

Yes, like comedy, insults were once issued with class but even as we see around here they are now relegated to sophomoric use of curse words.

It's a symptom of getting older thinking things are worse than they used to be. Ever read the book or seen the film "No Country for Old Men".

Smart, witty, funny people are smart and witty no matter when they're living.

Originally Posted by Glove

It's a symptom of getting older thinking things are worse than they used to be.

Oh it's a fact, music, movies, TV, the arts......across the board. Wit has been pushed aside for shock.

Mark Twain was the master of the civil insult.

Originally Posted by Bourne

Mark Twain was the master of the civil insult.

Along with Groucho Marx.

Originally Posted by Stinger

Along with Groucho Marx.

Groucho was fabulous!

Although - watching Triumph the insult comic dog is a modern day treat. And he's not the least bit subtle, dry or sophisticated.

He just looks at a pregnant woman dressed in costume at star wars film and says about the baby, "That's the last time he'll ever see a vagina"

part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugk37TvIR8E

part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCtz4trJr_g