Taunt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A taunt is a sarcastic remark, challenge, or insult intended to provoke a response of some kind from the one it is directed at. It can be compared to fighting words and trash-talk.
The act of taunting can be learned by observation and improvisation. It usually follows linear thought, correlating or building in some manner to the target of taunting. Things such as the victim's appearance, intelligence, mannerisms, education, background, past offenses, etc. can otherwise be insulted. When used in this manner, the effectiveness of a taunt at provoking a response varies depending on how the specific insult relates to its victim (or their sense of self), to what level of offense they regard the taunt, and how well the victim can control their emotions when responding.
Taunts are also a genre of Folklore.
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[edit] History
Taunting has likely been around since the dawn of time, as early Humans were highly competitive and lacked good sportsmanship. Those unable to hunt food properly were taunted merclessly and were unable to mate, therefore taunting was an aid to survival of the fittest. Later on taunting would be used by people of all professions and cultures to denigrate those of inferior ability, though it could also be used in a friendly way. This is known by such names as the dozens, verbal dueling/sparring, and can be compared with freestyle rapping.
[edit] Examples
- "Girls go to college to get more knowledge, boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider," or vise versa
- "Liar, liar, pants on fire!"
- "Your Face!"
- "Your Mom!" (has evolved into "Yo' Momma")
- "Up Yours!"
- "Crapface!"
- "I bite my thumb at you, sir!"
- "Bite Me"
- "Pizza Face!"
- "Get a job!"
- "Get a life!"
[edit] Gestures
Certain movements of ones body, are, in many cultures interpereted as a taunt. These can be expressed through the eyes, hands, fingers, head and other areas of the body.
For further Information on Gestures see: Gesture.
- Loser Gesture
The "Loser" Gesture is prevalent in modern society. This gesture is performed by raising the index finger and thumb of your right hand perpendicular to each other so that they form the letter "L". It is then placed onto one's forehead. It signifies that the person that this gesture is directed to is a loser.
- "The Finger" Gesture
The "Finger" Gesture is a gesture consisting of a fist with the middle finger extended. It is universally understood as "fuck you" due to its resemblance to the penis. It is certainly thousands of years old, being referred to in Ancient Roman literature as the digitus infamis or digitus impudicus. Performing this gesture is also called "flipping the bird" in countries where "the finger" is used. In other regions, "flipping the bird" refers to the raising of the middle and index finger with the back of the hand directed at the recipient. It can also mean "Victor" in some countries, which is not to be mistaken for the "Peace" gesture, which is done with the palm facing the recipient of the gesture, but in Britain and some other countries it is an offensive gesture, equivalent to "the finger".
- Further information: Finger (gesture)
- Clenched fist
A raised, clenched fist is used as a gesture of defiance by a number of groups. It is usually considered to be hostile, yet without any sexual, scatological, or notionally offensive connotations.
- The Cutthroat Gesture
The "Cutthroat" Gesture is performed by drawing the hand, or a finger or two, across the throat. It represents slitting the throat with a knife, and means that the gesturer or someone else is metaphorically being killed. It is rarely if ever used literally to refer to death, though it is occasionally used as a theatrical threat ("I'm going to kill you"). The gesture earned a great deal of national notoriety in the NFL during the 1999 season in which several players did the cutthroat gesture.
- The Tongue
Often sticking one's tongue out at another is seen as mocking the other. It can also be wagged in a manner suggesting cunnilingus when directed at a female. This adds sexual connotation and is seen as highly vulgar.
- Wanker Gesture
The "Wanker" Gesture is made with a loose fist (with all fingers forming a cylindrical shape) is made, and shaken up and down (or sometimes, back and forth) at the wrist, suggesting masturbation.
- Crotch-Grab
The crotch-grab is done almost exclusivly by males. It is, as the name suggests, simply a grabbing of the penis and testicles. It is frequently done by members of hip hop culture.
[edit] In popular culture
In Monty Python's Monty Python and the Holy Grail the French Knight taunts King Arthur and his companions.
[edit] Video games
Some video games feature the ability to taunt an opponent, whether the AI-controlled opponents of a single-player game, or real opponents seen in multiplayer. In the single-player context, a "taunt" command is used to draw the opponents' attention to the player's character; on the other hand, in a multiplayer context, a "taunt" command is essentially a virtual incarnation of a verbal taunt. In the context of wrestling or fighting games, a taunt may serve the purpose of building energy or stamina.
In games not featuring a dedicated "taunt" command, players have devised other ways, within the controls of the game, to taunt or harass opponents of other skill levels. In a racing game, for example, a player far in the lead might come to a stop before the finish line to watch their competitors to catch up, only to accelerate again and take the checkered flag when the opponents draw near; whereas multiplayer FPS games have given rise to the practice of corpse humping, which involves the "crouch" command present in a typical FPS's control scheme.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Draznilkas -- plural of Russian "draznilka" http://www.virginia.edu/slavic/seefa/DRAZNILK.HTM The dozens
