Near-synonyms

[aggienaut]

I have a deep philosophical question for you. It may cause some soul-searching and perhaps an identity crisis or two.

My recently former flatmate Eric, a native of Taiwan, liked to ask me questions about the difference between near synonyms, like "wreck" and "ruin" or "burst" and "explode." I found it rather entertaining to try to hash out the subtle differences.

I felt I was having difficulty, however, adequately describing the differences between "jerk," "asshole," and "dick." I feel like there's something about it that causes one's boss to be more likely an "asshole" than a mere "jerk," and I think "dick" intends a more intentional inconveniencing of others, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts!

Comments

[perrie.livejournal.com]

Disclaimer: I'm British, our definition of insults tend to vary from American ones.

Jerk seems more incidental to me. If a guy is just acting like an idiot and doing stupid things that irritate me, he's a jerk. Dick and asshole feel more like there's been deliberation behind whatever it is they've done. Like, if I was dating a guy and he cheated on me, he wouldn't just be a jerk, he'd be a dick because he was deliberately slighting me. I'd also be more like to call him a bastard - again, because of the deliberate intent behind whatever he did.

Perhaps asshole is more like consistently mean?

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Hmm that's an interesting idea about "being a jerk" being a more transient condition.

And "bastard" in the states is really reserved more for good natured ribbing of friends I think. We seldom call someone a bastard when we are actually angry at them, reserving more colorful explitives for that. ;)

I think guys who cheat would more likely be called a "douchebag" I think ;)

[nightspore.livejournal.com]

"Fucking bastard" is more serious.

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Hmm that's true the addition of "fucking" does turn it into a serious appellation.