[Note: I’m pretty sure it’s inappropriate to use words like “s___”) in GQ, so I’m substituting the usual awkward euphemisms.]
Okay, I’ve seen these…“feces words” (hey, I said this was awkward :p) used a number of ways, like any number of other inappropriate words. I have a pretty good idea of what the individual types mean, but let me know how accurate I am.
bull (sometimes used alone): Lies, dishonesty, swindle, etc. Also anything that shouldn’t be possible or is grossly unfair (popular when referring to video games and thelike), or “just plain wrong”.
horse: Wild bluster, extremely dubious claims, propaganda, etc. When referring to spoken statements, “bull” is something the speaker knows is false, whereas “horse” is something the speaker doesn’t know for certain is false, but is highly unlikely or a skewed version of the truth.
dog: Hopelessly inadequate, worthless.
chicken: I’m pretty sure this means either “petty” or “bureaucratic”, i.e. some annoying little task that serves no clear purpose. But I’ve also seen it used in its non-fecal connotation (cowardly), as well as “inappropriate”.
bat/ape: Both mean the same thing; completely overboard, going way too far, wildly excessive, etc.
pig: I saw this once on one of the Survivor threads. I’m pretty sure it refers to underdeveloped backwaters, “hicktown”.