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Admire John McPhee, Bill Bryson, David Remnick, Thomas Merton, Richard Rohr and James Martin (and most open and curious minds)

25.8.11

Insults


The 12th edition of the Chambers Dictionary, published on Thursday, features a new miscellany of linguaphile-pleasing lists. Particularly entertaining is a compendium of insults – never has cursing been so creative...
Candle-waster Someone who studies late.
Chawbacon A country person.
Desk-jockey A clerical worker.
Face-ache An ugly or disagreeable person.
Hen-hussy A man who meddles with women's affairs.
Humgruffin A terrible person.
Ink-jerker A professional author or journalist.
Propeller-head An obsessively studious or technologically minded person.
Quidnunc An inquisitive, gossiping person.
Rantipole A wild, reckless person.
Slip-string A rogue.
Two-pot screamer A person who gets drunk on a comparatively small amount of alcohol (Australian).
Young fogey A young person who adopts old-fashioned opinions, appearance, etc.

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