22 of Shakespeare’s Best Insults That Still Sting Today
Updated: Jan. 13, 2023
Just like his celebrated works, the Bard’s best insults have stood the test of time.
The best insults provide a quick jab to the ego
“Thou crusty batch of nature!”
From Troilus and Cressida
The lengthy, eloquent synonym for “idiot”
“Why, thou clay brained guts, thou knotty pated fool, thou whoreson obscene greasy tallow catch!”
From Henry IV, Part 1
Aside from his best insults, find out the 11 everyday phrases that were invented by Shakespeare.
For the grump in your life
“The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes.”
From Coriolanus
The most epic way to call out liars
“Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.”
From Othello
You may know the Bard’s best insults, but how much of a Shakespeare word nerd are you?
The Shakespearean “your mom” joke
“Villain, I have done thy mother.”
From Titus Andronicus
Get a laugh from these short jokes anyone can remember.
Married ladies, you know you’re thinking it
“Men from children nothing differ.”
From Much Ado About Nothing
I can see clearly—now that you’re gone
“Out of my sight! Thou dost infect my eyes.”
From Richard III
When you’re fed up with the world
“Sweep on, you fat and greasy citizens!”
From As You Like It
For more in scathing humor, check out our favorite funny political quotes and insults you can’t help but laugh at.
For dramatic effect, throw up your hands and shout:
“A foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. What a piece of work is man!”
From Hamlet
Imma let you finish, but…
“Thou art a boil, a plague sore, an embossed carbuncle in my corrupted blood.”
From King Lear
Is there a draft, or did you just walk in?
“You have such a February face, so full of frost, of storm and cloudiness.”
From Much Ado About Nothing
Don’t miss these 20 words that are their own opposites.
Because dogs are basically better than humans
“I do wish thou were a dog, that I might love thee something.”
From Timon of Athens
When “coward” doesn’t get the point across
“Go, prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, thou lily-liver’d boy.”
From Macbeth
Can we get some ice for this burn?
“Tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit, for I am sick when I do look on thee.”
From A Midsummer Night’s Dream
When the lights are on but nobody’s home
“Thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbows.”
From Troilus and Cressida
Make sure you know these 14 grammar myths your English teacher lied to you about.
The perfect one-liner
“You basket-hilt stale juggler, you!”
From Henry IV, Part 2
Ever heard of breath mints?
“You common cry of curs, whose breath I hate, as reek o’ the rotten fens.”
From Coriolanus
The origin of “Your mama so fat” (probably)
“No longer from head to foot than from hip to hip. She is spherical, like a globe. I could find out countries in her.”
From The Comedy of Errors
When one insult isn’t enough
“You starveling, you eel-skin, you dried neat’s tongue, you bull’s pizzle, you stock-fish!”
From Henry IV, Part 1
They may not be the best insults, but check out the origins of 14 commonly used phrases.
A comeback that shows your real priorities
“I’d beat thee, but I should infect my hands.”
From Timon of Athens
If you run out of things to say
“Thou art as fat as butter.”
From Henry IV, Part 1
And if they’re not worth an insult, sever ties already
“I desire that we be better strangers.”
From As You Like It
For more epic insults throughout history, check out The Insult Dictionary.
