Splendidly specific ways to be unkind, from the fifteenth century onwards.
A person who is blusteringly angry, arrogant, or full of false indignation.
A marvelous insult for the man whose bark is significantly louder than his bite.
“He was being a total huff-snuff in the meeting, throwing his weight around over a minor mistake.”
Appearing in the 17th century, this term describes a person who snorts with affected anger.
Having a face that is repellent or disagreeable to behold.
A marvelous way to tell someone they have a face only a gargoyle could love.
“The protagonist encountered a foul-visaged stranger lurking in the dark alleyway.”
A combination of foul and visage, appearing in English literature around the 1600s.
Awkward, clumsy, or displeasing in appearance and manner.
It has all the clatter and clunk of a broken carriage wheel.
“The new apprentice was somewhat ungearish, often knocking over vials with his heavy hands.”
A dialectal term from the English Midlands, likely derived from a corruption of gearish or ungear.
Lacking in beauty, dignity, or any quality that commands respect.
A polite but devastating way to describe a lack of aesthetic or moral worth.
“The crumbling facade of the old theater was an unworshipful sight after decades of neglect.”
Derived from Middle English, contrasting the state of being worthy of honor with a wretched appearance.
frouzyadjective · 17th century Having a neglected, untidy, or offensive appearance.
It sounds exactly like the texture of a dusty, unkempt velvet curtain.
“Her frouzy dress suggested she had spent the entire weekend ignoring her chores.”
Of uncertain origin, likely appearing in the late 17th century to denote a musty or slatternly state.
Possessing a countenance that is distinctly unpleasant or lacking in natural grace.
It sounds like an insult delivered by a very disappointed Victorian governess.
“He peered into the mirror and sighed, finding his morning reflection particularly ill-favoured.”
Formed from ill and favoured, this compound appears in the mid-16th century to denote a lack of beauty.
A person who grumbles and complains without pause.
Teeth first, conversation second.
“Don't mind the gnashgab, he's been miserable since Tuesday.”
19th-century dialect, chiefly northern England and Scotland; from gnash + gab.
A trifling fool; a man of no consequence whatsoever.
A fool with excellent tailoring.
“The fopdoodle had opinions on everything and knowledge of nothing.”
17th century; fop + doodle, 'a silly fellow'.
A useless person: literally one who cumbers the world.
Unemployment, the medieval edition.
“He called himself a cumberworld and meant it as a compliment.”
Middle English, 15th century; from cumber + world.
One who swerves from the marriage bed; a straying spouse.
Adultery, described as a driving error.
“The parish had opinions about the bedswerver in the big house.”
16th century; used by Shakespeare in The Winter's Tale (1611).