Ever want to make a real impression in an argument? Try these 11 poetic insults in European languages and you’ll definitely come out a winner.
Your bad, dead ancestors
Italian: Li mortacci tua!
Means: Your ancestors had questionable morality.
Example: ‘Li mortacci tua! You’re actually the worst.’
As stupid as his/her feet
French: Bête comme ses pieds
Means: Very stupid.
Example: ‘The point you’re making is bête comme ses pieds.’
Toilet
Italian: Cesso
Means: Ugly person.
Example: ‘My date was a total cesso.’
May the horse kick you
Hungarian: Rúgjon meg a ló!
Means: Curse you!
Example: ‘You took the last jam doughnut from the box when you know they’re my favourite – rúgjon meg a ló! ’
May the raven gouge out your eye
Hungarian: A holló vájja ki a szemed!
Means: Curse you!
Example: ‘You’re the worst person on the planet. A holló vájja ki a szemed! ’
I’ll give you a slap that will dress you as a bullfighter
Spanish: Te doy una hostia que te visto de torero
Means: I’ll hit you very hard.
Example: ‘If you come one step closer, te doy una hostia que te visto de torero.’
Go fry asparagus
Spanish: Vete a freír esparragos
Means: Go screw yourself!
Example: ‘You ate my banana?! I was saving that! Vete a freír esparragos! ’
Pleasure newt
German: Lustmolch
Means: Someone who is sex obsessed.
Example: ‘Ugh, my date last weekend was a total lustmolch.’
Snot puppy
Danish: Snothvalpe
Means: A brat.
Example: ‘Stop being such a snothvalpe and clean up your mess.’
May your VCR catch fire
Greek: Boreí to vínteo sas na pyrodotísei!
Means: Screw you!
Example: ‘You watched the new Game of Thrones without me? Boreí to vínteo sas na pyrodotísei!’
He put his penis on the table and the table broke
German: Hat er seinen Schwanz auf den Tisch gelegt, und der Tisch bricht in zwei Teile
Means: Used to describe a very arrogant man.
Example: ‘I was in an important meeting and my colleague was so arrogant about his presentation that hat er seinen Schwanz auf den Tisch gelegt, und der Tisch bricht in zwei Teile!‘
This article is part of our Explore Your World Through Language campaign. If you enjoyed this exploration of the wonders of words, why not sink your teeth into these great pieces:
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