Pissant

/ˈpɪsænt/ noun

Definition

A small, insignificant, or contemptible person; an insult for someone you think is weak or unimportant.

Etymology

Compound of 'piss' (urine, from Old French 'pissier') and 'ant' (the insect). Creates an insult by comparing a person to something tiny and worthless—an ant that merely urinates.

Kelly Says

This is a brutal example of English insults combining disgust with tiny-ness to maximize contempt. It's the kind of colorful slang that's disappeared from polite society but still appears in tough-guy novels and films!

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