27 of the Most Savage Insults in History

The power of the tongue yields fierce retribution

Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash

A good burn is fairly memorable. A great burn by a famous person is rarely forgettable. This list has been compiled to share with you some of the most ruthless insults made by some of the most influential public figures, historical icons, and brilliant minds.

It’s obvious that Mark Twain was not only a literary genius, but a master heckler as well.

William Faulkner about Ernest Hemingway

“He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.”

Hemingway about Faulkner

“Does he really think big emotions come from big words?”

William Shakespeare

“The tautness of his face sours ripe grapes.”

Joan Rivers

“Prince Charles’ ears are so big, he could hang-glide over the Falklands!”

Winston Churchill to Lady Astor when she called him “disgustingly drunk”

“My dear, you are ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.”

Margaret Thatcher