# Is "You're a real piece of work" an insult? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 19, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485 "2011-05-19T18:19:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/42 "2011-05-20T15:10:26Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > I would drape myself in chocolate, if it were socially acceptable. I can arrange that, if you don’t mind me [del]assassinating a few key people[/del] giving a few key people eloquent and persuasive lectures in favor of chocolate sartorialism. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/43 "2011-05-20T15:33:01Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Because you don’t want to deal with this bullshit? Probably something more along the lines of “they don’t want to deal with MY bullshit.” ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/44 "2011-05-20T17:35:49Z")
> [@bucketybuck](#): > > Did you read the thread? If anybody needed a mod warning it was the OP who shat all over the people offering constructive criticism. It seems unfair to describe the situation as _“a few smartass remarks when the advice isn’t appreciated enough”_, when to my mind people were only reacting to the extremely rude tone adopted by the OP. You may have noticed a trend for piling onto people requesting advice, but I dont think this case is as good an example of that as you may think. > > Even the wording of the insult reflects this. “You’re a real piece of work” suggests frustration and disbelief rather than snark or an intent to belittle. > > (I was going to say “snark and insultation”. Is insultation a word yet?) _Caveat advisor_, I guess. Hurt feelings at seeing one’s sage advice spurned does not entitle a person to trade barbs in IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/45 "2011-05-20T17:39:19Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#): > > _Caveat advisor_, I guess. Hurt feelings at seeing one’s sage advice spurned does not entitle a person to trade barbs in IMHO. Why not? People trade barbs constantly on this message board - it’s how Cecil got his start. As long as those barbs don’t cross a line, why in the world shouldn’t we be allowed to do so? ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/46 "2011-05-20T17:52:52Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Why not? People trade barbs constantly on this message board - it’s how Cecil got his start. As long as those barbs don’t cross a line, why in the world shouldn’t we be allowed to do so? I didn’t say it was forbidden. I said the provocation of seeing someone disregard your advice (_quelle horreur!_) doesn’t entitle you to do it. And if the modes have asked people to restrain themselves to prevent a pile-on . . . well, you trade barbs at your peril in that instance. My only worry would be that **Agent Foxtrot** hadn’t seen the notice, since they’re easy to overlook in threads with 100+ posts. But he didn’t raise the issue, so I assume he did know what the rules of engagement were at the time of his posting. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/47 "2011-05-20T18:58:26Z")
“You’re a real piece of work” is a mild insult, typically uttered by a gumshoe and directed to a dame. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/48 "2011-05-20T20:25:50Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > “You’re a real piece of work” is a mild insult, typically uttered by a gumshoe and directed to a dame. That reminds me of a show on National Geographic called Locked Up Abroad. First I was wondering why they didn’t just call it Abroad Locked Up, figured they were trying to be clever or something. ..but not only that, the show wasn’t even about Abroad, it was about some guy! In some foreign jail somewhere! What a stupid show. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/49 "2011-05-20T21:11:31Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Saying that “you’re a real piece of work” equals “you’re an asshole” is bullshit. What does it mean, then? Because I’ve always interpreted it to mean something fairly close to, “you’re a real asshole.” I’m open to correction on this point, though. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/50 "2011-05-20T21:23:43Z")
To me, it could also mean, “you’re a real piece of shit.” Again, it doesn’t sound complimentary. I think **Ellen** made the right call giving **Agent Foxtrot** the warning after **Czarcasm** told everybody to knock it off. Whether he thought it was Pitworthy or not, IMO, that is where he should have made it. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/51 "2011-05-20T21:37:02Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > What does it mean, then? Because I’ve always interpreted it to mean something fairly close to, “you’re a real asshole.” I’m open to correction on this point, though. I always thought of it as a somewhat polite (or nicer) way of saying “you’re a bit of a jerk”. For what it’s worth. Family friendly, where “you’re a piece of shit/an asshole” isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/52 "2011-05-20T21:46:36Z")
“You’re really messed up.” ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/53 "2011-05-20T22:31:43Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > What does it mean, then? Because I’ve always interpreted it to mean something fairly close to, “you’re a real asshole.” I’m open to correction on this point, though. [Online slang dictionary](http://onlineslangdictionary.com/meaning-of/piece-of-work) > [@](#): > > piece of work > > noun > > a difficult person. > He’s a real piece of work. > an outlandish person. > > a person who has one or more extreme (and usually negative) characteristics. > Ben: True crime, sir. We’re writing about Curtis Dean Mays. > > Evan: Mays. Nasty piece of work. > > – “The Cop”, Reaper (TV, 2007), Season 1 Episode 8 **Munch’s** allegation that it doesn’t mean something pretty close to “asshole” can only be attributed to ignorance of the way it is commonly used. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/54 "2011-05-20T23:12:24Z")
> [@](#): > > Munch’s allegation that it doesn’t mean something pretty close to “asshole” can only be attributed to ignorance of the way it is commonly used. False. Your very own description contradicts you. “Outlandish” does not equal “asshole” or even come close. Suggesting otherwise is outlandish. If I say “you’re acting irrationally”, I’m saying that you are exhibiting one or more extreme characteristics - none of them being an asshole or a prick. Try again. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/55 "2011-05-20T23:33:10Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > What does it mean, then? Because I’ve always interpreted it to mean something fairly close to, “you’re a real asshole.” I’m open to correction on this point, though. To answer your question, I will admit that it certainly has a range of intended meanings. Colibri’s definition is close - outlandish, as in “you’re being outlandish\*”. When I’ve used it or heard it used, you could easily substitute “you’re being exasperatingly difficult” - as you’re communicating that the person seems to be acting intentionally obtuse. Plenty of assholes are outlandish, intentionally obtuse or exasperatingly difficult - but not all (or even most) people being called a “real piece of work” are assholes. Either way, I think it’s important that moderation stick to what people actually type, rather than what you think someone might possibly mean. Coming into a thread and telling everyone that “everything needs to be puppy dog kisses and rainbows from here on out” is garbage moderation. Remind people where the well-established line is, tell people which posters or comments are getting close to that line, and moderate at that line. Certainly we’ve seen enough ATMB threads to realize that moving that line is the cause of the vast majority of disapproval of moderation around here, no? \*defined as “Conspicuously unconventional; bizarre” or “Strikingly unfamiliar”. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/56 "2011-05-21T00:09:42Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > False. Your very own description contradicts you. “Outlandish” does not equal “asshole” or even come close. Suggesting otherwise is outlandish. If I say “you’re acting irrationally”, I’m saying that you are exhibiting one or more extreme characteristics - none of them being an asshole or a prick. Try again. “Outlandish” wasn’t the only definition he posted. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/57 "2011-05-21T00:15:09Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > “Outlandish” wasn’t the only definition he posted. “Outlandish” was the harshest of definitions he posted. Do I need to defend my statement against even milder versions of the term as well? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/58 "2011-05-21T00:23:27Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > “Outlandish” was the harshest of definitions he posted. Do I need to defend my statement against even milder versions of the term as well? I’d argue that “difficult” is the harsher definition. Outlandish is not necessarily pejorative at all - in some contexts, it’s complimentary. Is “difficult” synonymous with “asshole?” Not perfectly, but I note that the same site defines “asshole” as (among other things) “a rude, impolite person.” Which seems rather close to “difficult” to me. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/59 "2011-05-21T00:34:30Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I’d argue that “difficult” is the harsher definition. Outlandish is not necessarily pejorative at all - in some contexts, it’s complimentary. Is “difficult” synonymous with “asshole?” Not perfectly, but I note that the same site defines “asshole” as (among other things) “a rude, impolite person.” Which seems rather close to “difficult” to me. Would you moderate me if I said, “STG, you’re difficult”? It’s snark - it’s the same as saying, “you’re a real peach, STG”. The only thing more pathetic than the increase of people getting their panties in a twist over snark is moderators handing out warnings for snark. It’s on the bright side of a not-very-grey line, why do we need to start moving the goalposts around to defend a shitty mod decision? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/60 "2011-05-21T00:46:32Z")
You always have the option to leave, **Munch**. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2011, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485/61 "2011-05-21T00:56:55Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > You always have the option to leave, **Munch**. :rolleyes: I’m sorry, did I interrupt your Moderation Adoration Celebration? I know that questioning TPTB when they issue inconsistent warnings is anathema to those who want every thread to be filled with huggles and unicorn farts, but there was a time when snark was the rule and saccharine was the exception. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youre-a-real-piece-of-work-an-insult/582485.md?page=4)