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Can we stop using the term 'wankpuffins' please?

Merry VoleMerry Vole Shipmate
in Hell
Ref: Rwanda bill thread.
I mean there must be a zillion better derogatory terms that can be used that don't indirectly reference some rather beautiful sea birds.
Thanks!
«1

Comments

  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate
    I'll try to prefer "cretinous cockwomble" or "malodorous horse tonker" in future.
  • DafydDafyd Hell Host
    I don't like to think what Uncle Bulgaria would have made of people who allow drilling for oil under offshore wind farms.
  • chrisstileschrisstiles Hell Host
    I find these made up insults to be twee in the extreme.
  • HugalHugal Shipmate
    This is Hell the word is allowed. By all means come up with new ones but this is Hell
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    edited May 3
    Never having encountered the term “wankpuffins” until seeing the title of this threaded, I find myself more curious about when, and why, anyone started using it than whether we can stop using it.

  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate
    Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Never having encountered the term “wankpuffins” until seeing the title of this threaded, I find myself more curious about when, and why, anyone started using it than whether we can stop using it.

    Intriguingly it appears to be an example of a linguistic category known as "shitgibbons":

    https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Category:English_shitgibbons
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Arethosemyfeet wrote: »
    Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Never having encountered the term “wankpuffins” until seeing the title of this threaded, I find myself more curious about when, and why, anyone started using it than whether we can stop using it.

    Intriguingly it appears to be an example of a linguistic category known as "shitgibbons":

    https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Category:English_shitgibbons
    :lol: :lol:

    Learning that was worth getting out of bed this morning. Thank you


  • DoublethinkDoublethink Admin, 8th Day Host
    Now that just fills me with a desire to fill in the neglected letters - effburglar anyone ?
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    There are some appropriate words available for use on the government - shitgoblins, for example.
    :naughty:

    Yes, maybe these terms are twee, but they brighten up the gloom of the day...

    Another f-word was used by the Great Dom I Did Go To Specsavers Cummings to describe his erstwhile employers - fuckpigs.
  • SojournerSojourner Shipmate
    Turdburglars?
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    How do people feel about https://youtu.be/otfp2WZliDs?si=Bf4mfecTiVxvWASq cockwombles?
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    Another f-word was used by the Great Dom I Did Go To Specsavers Cummings to describe his erstwhile employers - fuckpigs.
    I say, steady on, old chap! :flushed:
  • SandemaniacSandemaniac Shipmate
    Because Placobdelloides jaegerskioeldi is just too hard to pronounce?

    https://www.wired.com/2015/08/absurd-creature-of-the-week-hippo-butt-leech-placobdelloides-jaegerskioeldi/

    I can certainly think of a few politicians that resemble it though I still think its a bit unfair on the hippopotamus rectum leech to be likened to a politician.
  • chrisstileschrisstiles Hell Host
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    Yes, maybe these terms are twee, but they brighten up the gloom of the day...

    I think they are a means of self-censorship and ultimately blunting action.
  • SpikeSpike Ecclesiantics & MW Host, Admin Emeritus
    Who can forget Erin of Blessed Memory and her favourite insult “Asshat”
  • stetsonstetson Shipmate
    chrisstiles wrote: »
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    Yes, maybe these terms are twee, but they brighten up the gloom of the day...

    I think they are a means of self-censorship and ultimately blunting action.

    I'm not sure what you mean. If I say "wankmuffin" to censor myself, it's because there is something else I don't want myself to say. Could you give an example of how this process might work?
  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate
    I suppose one might be considering calling someone a See You Next Tuesday and recall that many people consider the term misogynistic and hence choose an alternative.
  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    edited May 3
    There's your answer - bread-based expletives instead of bird referencing.

    After wankmuffin, what about bilgecrumpet? Barmbum? Arsescone?

    Actual, recalling a classic Erin thread - urinalcake.
  • stetsonstetson Shipmate
    Arethosemyfeet wrote: »
    I suppose one might be considering calling someone a See You Next Tuesday and recall that many people consider the term misogynistic and hence choose an alternative.

    But how does that "blunt action", as per @chrisstiles phrase?
  • North East QuineNorth East Quine Purgatory Host
    edited May 3
    What an educational thread! I've learned about shitgibbons and hippo rectum leeches, neither of which I'd heard of before.
  • chrisstileschrisstiles Hell Host
    stetson wrote: »
    Arethosemyfeet wrote: »
    I suppose one might be considering calling someone a See You Next Tuesday and recall that many people consider the term misogynistic and hence choose an alternative.

    But how does that "blunt action", as per @chrisstiles phrase?

    Because ultimately, it's a means of avoiding confrontation.
  • questioningquestioning Shipmate
    How delightful Hell has become!
  • CameronCameron Shipmate
    I have just laughed myself silly after following the wiktionary link - not the normal effect of a visit to the underworld!

    And thank you, @Arethosemyfeet for your malodorous horse tonker which is both wonderfully comic and delightfully offensive. I shall find many uses for it!
  • stetsonstetson Shipmate
    chrisstiles wrote: »
    stetson wrote: »
    Arethosemyfeet wrote: »
    I suppose one might be considering calling someone a See You Next Tuesday and recall that many people consider the term misogynistic and hence choose an alternative.

    But how does that "blunt action", as per @chrisstiles phrase?

    Because ultimately, it's a means of avoiding confrontation.

    Okay, so I say "How can anyone vote for Mayor McWidget? He's a total wankpuffin!"

    What could be an alternative phrase that would be more confrontational, and hence more useful for inspiring action? "Wanker", because it directly references masturbation without the zoological softener?

    Or do you have in mind something that describes McWidget's specific policies?
  • DafydDafyd Hell Host
    edited May 3
    It seems to me that the effect of adding the 'puffin / gibbon' element is to express contempt rather than avoid offence. It implies that the nominee cannot be taken seriously.
  • stetsonstetson Shipmate
    Dafyd wrote: »
    It seems to me that the effect of adding the 'puffin / gibbon' element is to express contempt rather than avoid offence. It implies that the nominee cannot be taken seriously.

    So, what if I were to just call him a "wanker"? That would be insufficient to express contempt, minus the "puffin"?
  • RockyRogerRockyRoger Shipmate
    Could we please stop knocking wanking? At least it's sex with someone I love.

    [joke stolen from Woody Allen, sorry!
  • SandemaniacSandemaniac Shipmate
    North East Quine wrote: »
    What an educational thread! I've learned about shitgibbons and hippo rectum leeches, neither of which I'd heard of before.

    My work here is done.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    As an Orcadian (who once lived in Newfoundland), I'm inclined to join in the chorus defending puffins, who are found in both places, and are such delightful little birds, it seems a shame to use them as an insult.
  • ThunderBunkThunderBunk Shipmate
    It's the sounds in the word that make it so evocative. Plosive plus fricative equals expostulation. Nothing to do with the birds, who look to me like old fashioned bank managers in colourful masks.
  • chrisstileschrisstiles Hell Host
    edited May 3
    stetson wrote: »
    chrisstiles wrote: »
    stetson wrote: »
    Arethosemyfeet wrote: »
    I suppose one might be considering calling someone a See You Next Tuesday and recall that many people consider the term misogynistic and hence choose an alternative.

    But how does that "blunt action", as per @chrisstiles phrase?

    Because ultimately, it's a means of avoiding confrontation.

    Okay, so I say "How can anyone vote for Mayor McWidget? He's a total wankpuffin!"

    "How can anyone vote for Boris Johnson as mayor? You can't take him seriously, he's a total cockwomble."

    And here we are.
  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate
    I do recall hearing that aficionados of sea birds are rather sniffy about puffins - considering them flashy but rather uninteresting.
  • DafydDafyd Hell Host
    Puffins aren't little birds as birds go : they're longer than blackbirds. They do however have this odd flying action which looks almost exactly like a wind-up toy bird we had as children.
  • betjemaniacbetjemaniac Shipmate
    Nothing to add to this except, while we’re meandering, my favourite pub quiz answer remains which bird has the Latin name puffinus puffinus.

    The Manx Shearwater, obviously.
  • SandemaniacSandemaniac Shipmate
    betjemaniac wrote: »
    Nothing to add to this except, while we’re meandering, my favourite pub quiz answer remains which bird has the Latin name puffinus puffinus.

    The Manx Shearwater, obviously.

    Indeed, a favourite of mine too!
  • Merry VoleMerry Vole Shipmate
    edited May 4
    chrisstiles wrote: »
    stetson wrote: »
    chrisstiles wrote: »
    stetson wrote: »
    Arethosemyfeet wrote: »
    I suppose one might be considering calling someone a See You Next Tuesday and recall that many people consider the term misogynistic and hence choose an alternative.

    But how does that "blunt action", as per @chrisstiles phrase?

    Because ultimately, it's a means of avoiding confrontation.

    Okay, so I say "How can anyone vote for Mayor McWidget? He's a total wankpuffin!"

    "How can anyone vote for Boris Johnson as mayor? You can't take him seriously, he's a total cockwomble."

    And here we are.

    I think think it's the word 'total' that makes it an insult. Otherwise 'how you doing me ol' cockwomble' could do as a term of endearment. (Especially in Lancashire or Yorkshire?!)
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    Merry Vole wrote: »
    chrisstiles wrote: »
    stetson wrote: »
    chrisstiles wrote: »
    stetson wrote: »
    Arethosemyfeet wrote: »
    I suppose one might be considering calling someone a See You Next Tuesday and recall that many people consider the term misogynistic and hence choose an alternative.

    But how does that "blunt action", as per @chrisstiles phrase?

    Because ultimately, it's a means of avoiding confrontation.

    Okay, so I say "How can anyone vote for Mayor McWidget? He's a total wankpuffin!"

    "How can anyone vote for Boris Johnson as mayor? You can't take him seriously, he's a total cockwomble."

    And here we are.

    I think think it's the word 'total' that makes it an insult. Otherwise 'how you doing me ol' cockwomble' could do as a term of endearment. (Especially in Lancashire or Yorkshire?!)

    "Total" and "complete and utter" can make almost anything an insult.

    "You complete and utter sock drawer! You are a total toothbrush!"
  • Martin54Martin54 Deckhand, Styx
    edited May 4
    betjemaniac wrote: »
    Nothing to add to this except, while we’re meandering, my favourite pub quiz answer remains which bird has the Latin name puffinus puffinus.

    The Manx Shearwater, obviously.

    You self pleasuring Manx Shearwater is definitely more Pythonesque.

    It's funny what works and what doesn't. Wankpuffin doesn't, cockwomble nearly does with a cockney accent, asshat is fine, particularly as it has a fine pedigree etymology. Wankpuffin is just an absurd Reeves and Mortimer type contrivance.

    I like this from Esquire,
    If you use these words, you're turning your back on the rich history of earthy, brutish, egalitarian British swearing to evoke some bizarre Thorpe Park fantasy Britain set somewhere between 1928 and 1954. It's not that there's no room for innovation in swearing, but the forsaking our national inheritance - your everyday fucks, shits and bastards - for smug, self-consciously quirksome insults is a travesty which must be stopped.

    preceded with 'faux-archaic compound insults' and 'suffocatingly twee'.
  • ArethosemyfeetArethosemyfeet Shipmate
    And why should we give a toss what the bawbag-worriers at Esquire think?
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    Martin54 wrote: »
    betjemaniac wrote: »
    Nothing to add to this except, while we’re meandering, my favourite pub quiz answer remains which bird has the Latin name puffinus puffinus.

    The Manx Shearwater, obviously.

    You self pleasuring Manx Shearwater is definitely more Pythonesque.

    It's funny what works and what doesn't. Wankpuffin doesn't, cockwomble nearly does with a cockney accent, asshat is fine, particularly as it has a fine pedigree etymology. Wankpuffin is just an absurd Reeves and Mortimer type contrivance.

    I like this from Esquire,
    If you use these words, you're turning your back on the rich history of earthy, brutish, egalitarian British swearing to evoke some bizarre Thorpe Park fantasy Britain set somewhere between 1928 and 1954. It's not that there's no room for innovation in swearing, but the forsaking our national inheritance - your everyday fucks, shits and bastards - for smug, self-consciously quirksome insults is a travesty which must be stopped.

    preceded with 'faux-archaic compound insults' and 'suffocatingly twee'.

    Perhaps the writer was fed up of being called a Bollockweasel for giving too much of a shit how other people choose to insult others.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited May 5
    *Bollockweasel* - I like that one (it reminds me of Thirty-Pee Lee and others of that ilk).

    Perhaps it should be spelled (spelt?) Bollerqueasle, just to look a bit less crude?
  • Martin54Martin54 Deckhand, Styx
    Arethosemyfeet wrote: »
    And why should we give a toss what the bawbag-worriers at Esquire think?

    You obviously do, as that has a fine pedigree again.
  • chrisstileschrisstiles Hell Host
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    *Bollockweasel* - I like that one (it reminds me of Thirty-Pee Lee and others of that ilk).

    Sounds like something Johnson would come up with to sound eccentric and endearing.
  • TwangistTwangist Shipmate
    This is the funniest hell thread I've read in a long time...
  • Martin54Martin54 Deckhand, Styx
    chrisstiles wrote: »
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    *Bollockweasel* - I like that one (it reminds me of Thirty-Pee Lee and others of that ilk).

    Sounds like something Johnson would come up with to sound eccentric and endearing.

    Quite. They're all in that twee, faux zone.
  • Merry VoleMerry Vole Shipmate
    edited May 5
    Arethosemyfeet wrote: »
    Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Never having encountered the term “wankpuffins” until seeing the title of this threaded, I find myself more curious about when, and why, anyone started using it than whether we can stop using it.

    Intriguingly it appears to be an example of a linguistic category known as "shitgibbons":

    https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Category:English_shitgibbons

    I've just read the linked article and it's wonderful. With so much crap happening around my life I rarely laugh out loud and this was so therapeutic.
    Thank you 😊

    PS re my OP whinge -all is forgiven. I'm sure the puffins will forgive.
  • Martin54Martin54 Deckhand, Styx
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    *Bollockweasel* - I like that one (it reminds me of Thirty-Pee Lee and others of that ilk).

    Perhaps it should be spelled (spelt?) Bollerqueasle, just to look a bit less crude?

    Sorry, I much prefer fucking Tory tosser.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    O well - whatever lights your candle...
  • HugalHugal Shipmate
    Martin54 wrote: »
    Bishops Finger wrote: »
    *Bollockweasel* - I like that one (it reminds me of Thirty-Pee Lee and others of that ilk).

    Perhaps it should be spelled (spelt?) Bollerqueasle, just to look a bit less crude?

    Sorry, I much prefer fucking Tory tosser.

    It is at least direct
  • EirenistEirenist Shipmate
    I do wish you'd all stop insulting my mother. (She was not a puffin, though.)
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