# Insults given inconspicously **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 10, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843 "2013-02-10T02:55:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/1 "2013-02-10T02:55:20Z")
So, I learned this new word the other day - “Piker.” Basically it means a cheapskate. I’m going to start using it now if the situation arises. It’s cool because you can seriously insult someone without them even knowing. What are some other words like this? ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/2 "2013-02-10T03:01:31Z")
Bint is such a cool word. It means daughter or girl, not offensive at all unless you use it right. I’m a big fan of Gormless. It makes me think about a happy dog. I’m happy that you started this thread. Bless your heart. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Conqueror\_Worm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@The\_Conqueror\_Worm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Conqueror_Worm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/3 "2013-02-10T03:06:13Z")
I’ve never understood the point of trying to insult someone without them knowing you have done so. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/4 "2013-02-10T03:22:48Z")
> [@Tupac](#): > > So, I learned this new word the other day - “Piker.” > > Basically it means a cheapskate. I’m going to start using it now if the situation arises. It’s cool because you can seriously insult someone without them even knowing. If you called me a “piker” because I tipped $1 on a $20 food bill, I’d know what you meant. How is that insulting me without me knowing? Oh, it’s because you’re in your 20s? And I’m in my 60s? You just ain’t up on lingo that is older than you. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/5 "2013-02-10T03:57:54Z")
If it sounds like a compliment with the emphasis in a different place. Someone once listened to my overwhelming (to me) list of tasks to be done and said, “Carnut, you are just the busiest person I know. How do you do it?” I thought about that later. I’m given to whining and I know it. The person who told me that is highly intelligent, volunteers for tons of things and manages to get most of them done. I do believe she was laughing at/exasperated with me. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/6 "2013-02-10T04:03:32Z")
> [@The\_Conqueror\_Worm](#): > > I’ve never understood the point of trying to insult someone without them knowing you have done so. I dunno cause I think it’s funny. Don’t be such a muse. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/7 "2013-02-10T04:48:08Z")
To insult with wit that the other person doesn’t understand is one thing, to use some kind of slang that’s not generally understood seems fucked up to me. [/hijack]Yes, all you Brits out there that think saying “septic” is the height of piss taking, yep, I’m talking to you. Especially since 99% of all Americans have no idea of what you’re talking about. It’s not wit, but it is certainly insulting. [/end hijack] ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/8 "2013-02-10T04:57:35Z")
Septic!!! I get it. Nice! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/9 "2013-02-10T05:12:52Z")
Judging by your example, I strongly recommend against trying to “sneak” insults by people. “Piker” is not a new insult, it’s not even that uncommon an uncommon insult. But I remember a Letterman joke, after one of several shooting incidents involving Tupac. “He sure is lucky. A couple inches to the left and he woulda been Onepac.” ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/10 "2013-02-10T05:27:03Z")
FYI Boyo, you could use these in a friendly teasing way also. Which is kind of what I would probably do cause I’m not really a malicious person. But please no more hijacks or generally misanthropic posts. You are missing the point entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/11 "2013-02-10T05:33:27Z")
No, the joke was extraneous (do you know what _that_ word means?), but the comment was exactly on point. If that is a new word for you, you’re not well read, and you won’t be pulling the wool over people’s eyes. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/12 "2013-02-10T05:59:29Z")
Ok Boyo. Sorry I’m not as well read as you. But thanks for ruining my thread! Guess Ill look up the words on my own. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/13 "2013-02-10T07:39:44Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > If you called me a “piker” because I tipped $1 on a $20 food bill, I’d know what you meant. How is that insulting me without me knowing? > > Oh, it’s because you’re in your 20s? And I’m in my 60s? You just ain’t up on lingo that is older than you. True samclem. No denying that. Learning the best I can though. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/14 "2013-02-10T08:20:06Z")
Don’t worry, OP. _I_ thought your idea was meretricious. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/15 "2013-02-10T08:40:27Z")
Both **piker** and **bint** are used in completely different ways here in Australia. You’re a _piker_ if you and your mates organise a weekend camping trip out bush, and you pull out at the last minute. You’re a piker if you refuse to be Best Man at your best friend’s wedding. You’re a piker if you offer to help your friend move house, then on that day your mum gets crook and you have to visit her in hospital. You may have your reasons, but you’re still a piker. You’re a (mad old) bint. Bint is never used alone, it’s always prefaced with something like mad old, surly old, sour old, or some such thing. And it always includes the ‘old’ even if the object isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/16 "2013-02-10T12:55:40Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Both **piker** and **bint** are used in completely different ways here in Australia. > > You’re a _piker_ if you and your mates organise a weekend camping trip out bush, and you pull out at the last minute. You’re a piker if you refuse to be Best Man at your best friend’s wedding. You’re a piker if you offer to help your friend move house, then on that day your mum gets crook and you have to visit her in hospital. You may have your reasons, but you’re still a piker. > > You’re a (mad old) bint. Bint is never used alone, it’s always prefaced with something like mad old, surly old, sour old, or some such thing. And it always includes the ‘old’ even if the object isn’t. Now, _I_ just learned something new. Thx. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/17 "2013-02-10T13:13:55Z")
> [@flatlined](#): > > Bint is such a cool word. It means daughter or girl, not offensive at all unless you use it right. The original, literal meaning of bint is “daughter or girl”, just like the original, literal meaning of negro is “black”. It’s taken on other overtones of meaning in English usage that are less anodyne, and for some people and circumstances is liable to be taken as very offensive. So, you know… mind how you go with that one. > [@Malacandra](#): > > Don’t worry, OP. _I_ thought your idea was meretricious. Fulsome praise, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/18 "2013-02-10T15:44:56Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > Don’t worry, OP. _I_ thought your idea was meretricious. You’re just being pretentious. You wish you came up with this thread. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/19 "2013-02-10T16:05:04Z")
My personal favourite thing like this (not sure it’s what you’re after, or qualifies) is to begin my response with the phrase, ‘More on that, later!’, followed by my response. In essence I’m calling you a moron, to your face, although it’s most likely only evident to me. I’m almost positive I learned this from someone else who used this. So within that small group anyway, we all knew what was really being said. I think I held onto using it even though I was no longer with that group of people. It fulfills my need to say something without hurting the other person’s feelings. If you hear someone use this phrase a lot, sometimes where it really doesn’t quite fit, consider that they also know this trick and are actually wanting to call you a moron! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843/20 "2013-02-10T16:06:29Z")
I assumed most people knew what ‘piker’ meant. And I don’t understand the point of insulting someone without them knowing it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insults-given-inconspicously/649843.md?page=2)