30 Medieval Insults in English That Should Make a Comeback and Prove Their Smartness

In the medieval era, insults were an art form, carefully crafted to showcase wit, intelligence, and a sharp tongue. These insults were not just meant to offend but also to entertain and impress. While some may argue that insults have evolved over time, there is a certain charm and cleverness to the insults of old that should make a comeback. Here are 30 medieval insults in English that deserve to be revived and prove their smartness:

1. “Thou art a base, proud, shallow, beggarly, three-suited, hundred-pound, filthy worsted-stocking knave!”
This insult not only attacks the person’s character but also mocks their appearance and social status.

2. “Thou art a sheep-biting, sodden-witted, flap-mouthed knave!”
This insult combines an animal reference with an attack on the person’s intelligence and speech.

3. “Thou art a mewling, ill-breeding, onion-eyed coxcomb!”
This insult uses vivid imagery to insult the person’s manners, appearance, and foolishness.

4. “Thou art a rank, onion-eyed, flap-dragon!”
This insult combines the imagery of a foul-smelling vegetable with an animal reference to create a unique insult.

5. “Thou art a beslubbering, beef-witted, barnacle!”
This insult uses alliteration and vivid imagery to mock the person’s intelligence and appearance.

6. “Thou art a loggerheaded, swag-bellied, flap-dragon!”
This insult combines unusual words to create a memorable insult that attacks the person’s intelligence and appearance.

7. “Thou art a ruttish, ill-nurtured, flap-mouthed varlet!”
This insult attacks the person’s manners, intelligence, and speech, using vivid imagery to make it more impactful.

8. “Thou art a craven, milk-livered, flap-dragon!”
This insult combines animal references with vivid imagery to mock the person’s cowardice and appearance.

9. “Thou art a cockered, ill-breeding, onion-eyed varlet!”
This insult attacks the person’s manners, appearance, and intelligence, using vivid imagery to make it more memorable.

10. “Thou art a rank, onion-eyed, flap-mouthed coxcomb!”
This insult combines vivid imagery with an attack on the person’s appearance, intelligence, and foolishness.

11. “Thou art a loggerheaded, swag-bellied, flap-mouthed knave!”
This insult uses unusual words and vivid imagery to mock the person’s intelligence, appearance, and speech.

12. “Thou art a ruttish, ill-nurtured, onion-eyed coxcomb!”
This insult attacks the person’s manners, intelligence, appearance, and foolishness, using vivid imagery to make it more impactful.

13. “Thou art a craven, milk-livered, flap-mouthed knave!”
This insult combines animal references with vivid imagery to mock the person’s cowardice, appearance, and speech.

14. “Thou art a cockered, ill-breeding, flap-dragon!”
This insult attacks the person’s manners, appearance, and intelligence, using vivid imagery to make it more memorable.

15. “Thou art a rank, onion-eyed, ill-nurtured varlet!”
This insult combines vivid imagery with an attack on the person’s appearance, intelligence, and manners.

16. “Thou art a loggerheaded, swag-bellied, ill-breeding coxcomb!”
This insult uses unusual words and vivid imagery to mock the person’s intelligence, appearance, and manners.

17. “Thou art a ruttish, milk-livered, ill-breeding varlet!”
This insult attacks the person’s cowardice, appearance, and manners, using vivid imagery to make it more impactful.

18. “Thou art a craven, cockered, onion-eyed flap-dragon!”
This insult combines animal references with vivid imagery to mock the person’s cowardice, foolishness, and appearance.

19. “Thou art a milk-livered, loggerheaded, flap-mouthed coxcomb!”
This insult uses unusual words and vivid imagery to mock the person’s cowardice, intelligence, and speech.

20. “Thou art a cockered, ruttish, ill-nurtured knave!”
This insult attacks the person’s manners, foolishness, and appearance, using vivid imagery to make it more memorable.

21. “Thou art a rank, onion-eyed, swag-bellied varlet!”
This insult combines vivid imagery with an attack on the person’s appearance, intelligence, and cowardice.

22. “Thou art a loggerheaded, ill-breeding, flap-dragon!”
This insult uses unusual words and vivid imagery to mock the person’s intelligence, manners, and appearance.

23. “Thou art a ruttish, ill-nurtured, milk-livered coxcomb!”
This insult attacks the person’s manners, appearance, and cowardice, using vivid imagery to make it more impactful.

24. “Thou art a craven, onion-eyed, cockered knave!”
This insult combines animal references with vivid imagery to mock the person’s cowardice, appearance, and foolishness.

25. “Thou art a milk-livered, loggerheaded, ill-breeding varlet!”
This insult uses unusual words and vivid imagery to mock the person’s cowardice, intelligence, and manners.

26. “Thou art a cockered, ruttish, onion-eyed flap-dragon!”
This insult attacks the person’s manners, foolishness, and appearance, using vivid imagery to make it more memorable.

27. “Thou art a rank, swag-bellied, ill-nurtured coxcomb!”
This insult combines vivid imagery with an attack on the person’s appearance, intelligence, and manners.

28. “Thou art a loggerheaded, ill-breeding, milk-livered knave!”
This insult uses unusual words and vivid imagery to mock the person’s intelligence, manners, and cowardice.

29. “Thou art a ruttish, onion-eyed, ill-nurtured varlet!”
This insult attacks the person’s manners, appearance, and intelligence, using vivid imagery to make it more impactful.

30. “Thou art a craven, cockered, flap-mouthed flap-dragon!”
This insult combines animal references with vivid imagery to mock the person’s cowardice, foolishness, and speech.

These insults from the medieval era are not only creative and clever but also showcase the rich linguistic heritage of the English language. Reviving these insults would not only add a touch of humor and entertainment to our conversations but also remind us of the power of words and the importance of wit. So, let’s bring back these medieval insults and prove their smartness in the modern world!