Ten Obscure Old School Insults

A 17th-century term for a vain, foppish man, like a peacock preening. Comes from the cap (like a rooster's comb) worn by court jesters.

A rare British term for someone who avoids hard work or responsibility, especially when pretending to be busy.

A wonderfully thumpy insult for a blockhead or fool, possibly from thunderhead—suggesting a storm in the brain.

An American political insult for a clever, unscrupulous person, especially in politics. Possibly from German roots meaning “quick-tongued.”

A person who stubbornly clings to wrong ideas despite being shown the truth, often with smug confidence.

Originally meant a deformed fetus of a cow, but Shakespeare used it for a fool or daydreamer. A poetic way to say someone’s not all there.

A 17th-century term for a nonsensical, insignificant person. The kind of guy who brags loud and delivers little.

A disorderly, low-class person; sounds like an insult you’d hear in a tavern brawl.

An obscure Elizabethan insult for a stupid or contemptible person, now mostly revived by word-nerds and Shakespeare fans.

An old insult from Chaucer’s time for a cheater or adulterer, literally someone who “swerves” from bed to bed.