# "Them's fighting words!" -- ever true for you? When? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 13, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687 "2009-02-13T15:11:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/21 "2009-02-13T16:36:42Z")
> [@Skald the Rhymer](#): > > It’s my own fault for bringing the story up. I think bringing up the story was fine; the argument just needed a little exposition. > [@Skald the Rhymer](#): > > I’m going to blame the Woses. Damn hippies, always screwing up my posts. Somebody should go hunt their asses down, like Theodred used to. (As much as I hate to say it, I don’t think this is a case where hippies are at fault.) 😃 ---
**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:** [February 13, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/22 "2009-02-13T16:39:40Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I think bringing up the story was fine; the argument just needed a little exposition. > > (As much as I hate to say it, I don’t think this is a case where hippies are at fault.) 😃 Wood-woses. Mythical characters of European folklore who lived in the woods. Euhemerized in Lord of the Rings. I am officially the biggest nerd in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/23 "2009-02-13T16:40:49Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > No comment, but what is so bad about “punk”? I thought it meant general no goodnik? Is there something specifically bad about it? In Black culture I think the paradigm is “Fag”. As **Skald the Rhymer** points out. And if we’re going strictly by stereo-types; Blacks get very offended when you question their sexual orientation. Calling someone a rapist just sounds plain odd given the context. If I were the OP, I don’t think I’d use that insult at all in the story line. If the boy in the story is White, I’d say “nigger” might get one’s blood to boil. [disclaimer: Keep in mind I said “stereo-types” not my actual opinion.] ---
**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:** [February 13, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/24 "2009-02-13T16:42:30Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > In Black culture I think the paradigm is “Fag”. As **Skald the Rhymer** points out. > > And if we’re going strictly by stereo-types; Blacks get very offended when you question their sexual orientation. Calling someone a rapist just sounds plain odd given the context. If I were the OP, I don’t think I’d use that insult at all in the story line. If the boy in the story is White, I’d say “nigger” might get one’s blood to boil. > > [disclaimer: Keep in mind I said “stereo-types” not my actual opinion.] Let’s pretend I never mentioned the story. I’ll give a cookie to anybody who answers without mentioning the story but rather answers the question in the thread title. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/25 "2009-02-13T16:46:08Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Wood-woses. Mythical characters of European folklore who lived in the woods. Euhemerized in Lord of the Rings. Oh…uh, nevermind. > [@Skald the Rhymer](#): > > I’ll give a cookie to anybody who answers without mentioning the story but rather answers the question in the thread title. My answer is “No”. (I’m partial to chocolate chip cookies myself.) ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/26 "2009-02-13T16:48:33Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Let’s pretend I never mentioned the story. I’ll give a cookie to anybody who answers without mentioning the story but rather answers the question in the thread title. 😃 Heh, sorry man. I didn’t mean to mess with your creativity. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/27 "2009-02-13T16:59:27Z")
“Liar” is pretty high up there for me, especially if I wasn’t lying. I’ve gotten into a couple of scraps, but it’s been so long I don’t remember what started them exactly. If I can bring up characters of my own, I have a few self-based characters who would have their own beserk buttons. Felino would probably go off from being called a dog, but he’s feline. ‘Silverkitty’… I’m sure she has one, but it’s probably something random since she’s kinda nuts. ‘You like Picard’ maybe. Or ‘Frank Miller is the greatest comic writer of all time.’ Clythia probably would if you insulted her family badly enough. So, what kinda cookies you offering? ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/28 "2009-02-13T17:03:26Z")
Honestly? Kike. I was only called it by one person, and at first I thought it was a joke (it was in the context of a joke), but when he started getting very, very agressively angry after I responded with an anti-catholic joke, I realized that it was meant as an insult, and I trully wanted to slug the guy. So… Perhaps word-and-context more than just word, but I still find the term pretty hackle-raising. ---
**Author:** ![Jettboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jettboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jettboy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/29 "2009-02-13T18:06:43Z")
I’m a 43-year-old beige guy, and there isn’t much of anything anyone could call me that would get me riled enough to be physically violent; I’d pretty much just laugh it off. Talk smack to my wife or son and there’s a possiblity of my boot meeting your balls, though. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/30 "2009-02-13T19:59:21Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > In Black culture I think the paradigm is “Fag”. As **Skald the Rhymer** points out. > > And if we’re going strictly by stereo-types; Blacks get very offended when you question their sexual orientation. Calling someone a rapist just sounds plain odd given the context. If I were the OP, I don’t think I’d use that insult at all in the story line. If the boy in the story is White, I’d say “nigger” might get one’s blood to boil. > > [disclaimer: Keep in mind I said “stereo-types” not my actual opinion.] Since I actually am a fag, that one wouldn’t bother me at all. I’m not black though so I can’t speak to that part of it. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/31 "2009-02-13T20:17:00Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Note to self: do not mention stories in posts unless you intend to actually discuss same. > > It’s not a random or generic insult. The kid is calling the man a rapist because the kid BELIEVES the guy raped his sister. He says something akin to “What? You don’t like hearing the truth? I’ll say it again. Punk. Liar. Coward. Rapist.” **Kim** ’s objection was that she thought the man might start hitting at the word “punk.” Okay, yeah, that makes sense. I’m not sure I have “fighting words,” mainly because I’m small and well…I’d lose any fight I started. It does seem that words with a grain of truth are more anger-sparking, though. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/32 "2009-02-13T20:33:46Z")
Once. I was a soldier on barracks guard duty and broke up a fight, used words (loud ones), and separated them. One of them looked me in the eye and said he was going to go to his car and get his gun, I dropped him instantly. So yes, fighting words are threats I won’t take a chance on. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/33 "2009-02-13T20:37:18Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > Once. > > I was a soldier on barracks guard duty and broke up a fight, used words (loud ones), and separated them. One of them looked me in the eye and said he was going to go to his car and get his gun, I dropped him instantly. > > So yes, fighting words are threats I won’t take a chance on. Hmm…I think that’s more responding to a danger than an irrational surge of anger. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/34 "2009-02-13T20:47:23Z")
I’m not going to punch someone for calling me poopypants or something, however if someone is getting right in my face in a loud and threatening manner then yes, I might be inclined to give him some face time with the lads (or run like a little girl, as appropriate). IANAL, but if someone is right in your face threatening violence, I don’t think you have to wait and see if they will actually hit you before you react. > [@Jettboy](#): > > I’m a 43-year-old beige guy, and there isn’t much of anything anyone could call me that would get me riled enough to be physically violent; Beige?! That sounds a little to close to yella’ for my tastes. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/35 "2009-02-13T21:29:34Z")
Are you asking what is an insult severe enough to trigger me attacking, or what is an insult that comes across as an invitation to a fight? I can’t think of an insult from a stranger that would be bad enough for me to hit them. Come to think if it, I wonder if I am more likely to lash out for an insult to my wife or kids. Not sure what it would be, though. Male, 53, got most of my fighting out of the way a long time ago. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/36 "2009-02-13T21:31:02Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > [ I agree with **Chimera** - laughter is the best response, then walk away. Never turn your back on them, or you risk being jumped from behind - especially when you are a security officer or in any potential danger. Stand tall, look them in the eye with a smile on your face and laughter in your voice and wait until they slink away. Not necessarily to be used on people very much larger than you or the completely insane. There are still people out there who will gladly kill you for looking at them and tell the police “I didn’t like the way he was laughing/looking at me!” ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/37 "2009-02-13T22:22:28Z")
I tend to be pretty live-and-let-live. If someone wants to insult me or goad me into fighting my response is like “Yeah, whatever”. IMO grown-ups don’t fight like little kids. However, I shocked everyone at my Granny-in-law’s house when my husband’s cousin called him a “fat fuck” and accused him of running over her dog. I went OFF on that bitch! I’d never been anything but sweet and polite up til then, but you just don’t talk shit about my baby! I was deeply ashamed and burst into tears immediately after. When cousin’s mom showed up to scream at me, I hid in the bathroom, but granny pulled a gun on aunt and sent her packing! Aunt is Granny’s own daughter, but my husband is Granny’s baby too. Yep, good times! ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/38 "2009-02-13T22:33:05Z")
I don’t reallly have any words, but in retrospect, I shouldn’t have told my angry-drunk friend\* as he was drunk and getting angry at me, “so, what, are you gonna throw down then?” •Friend is an angry drunk AND he was drunk and angry, if that was in any way unclear. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/39 "2009-02-14T00:09:49Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > In Black culture I think the paradigm is “Fag”. As **Skald the Rhymer** points out. It apparently used to be the same for white people. I can’t find the right section now, but in _Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk_ (that is, punk rock) there’s some discussion of when the term first became used to refer to a genre of music. The earliest punk musicians (e.g. The Stooges) seemed unsure what to make of being called “punks”, as this was considered an insult – not even just that one was gay, but that one was playing the “girlfriend” role. ---
**Author:** ![Glazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e57/32.png) [@Glazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glazer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687/40 "2009-02-14T02:52:06Z")
I agree punk means more than just fag. It’s someone whom gives sexual favors out of fear or some weakness of manhood. A jailhouse bitch or crackhead looking for a bump. Someone who is easily intimidated. A punk is usually not gay but “turned out” just like a hoe you would put on the street. I agree with **Kim the Rhymer** if your character is in any way **Street** punk is fighting words. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thems-fighting-words-ever-true-for-you-when/485687.md?page=3)