[Corpora-List] Categories of insults

[Darren Cook]

> I don't think anyone has mentioned yet insults that use what would
> otherwise be non-insult words, but where the entire cultural context
> implies something insulting:
> ...

I'm glad that has been brought up. Insults do not imply negative
sentiment words (nor do negative sentiment words imply an insult).

In addition to the joke put-downs you gave, there is also sarcasm
("Yeah, sure, I want to go out with a find-upstanding member of the
community like you."), but another class of insults can use all positive
words and no sarcasm:

  I'm sure you will make a fine Mc.Donalds crew member.

This could be insulting their ambition, or their academic prowess. But,
instead, it could be said by a proud parent to a teenager upon getting
their first part-time job. It could simply be a complement on the
person's ability to work in a team. In the hands of certain parents it
might even be all three at once.

Darren

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