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Canadian poet William Chapman once said, “Words cut deeper than knives. A knife can be pulled out, words are embedded into our souls”. That rings true with every insult, and most of us can likely attest to that. Whether it’s bullying at school, uncalled-for remarks on the street, or other outbursts of people’s hostility, it’s nearly impossible to avoid it.

Some spiteful comments stick with the receiver for years, even decades after. This has been pointed out by Twitter’s community members, who have answered the user Zaza Man’s question: what’s an insult they’ll never forget. Their heart-wrenching answers show just how much damage a word can do; scroll down to find them and see for yourself.

In order to better understand the subtleties of how certain wording can affect a person and what drives someone to use insulting language, Bored Panda has reached out to the professor of rhetoric and linguistics at Soka University, James Williams, PhD. He was kind enough to answer a few of our questions; you will find the interview in the text below.

Image credits: Zazamyodor

#1

Insults-People-Never-Forget

ThomasNewman Report

Ranger Kanootsen
Community Member
3 years ago

DAAAAAANG thats gotta sting

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    #2

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    LoveAndyC Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Oh, that is priceless 🤣

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    #3

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    SchwaUmlaut Report

    Jp@nda
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Classic

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    #4

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    DSArrows Report

    Take me to dinner first
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Leaving my grandma alone at supermarkets used to mean I would come back and she would have a new best friend who knew absolutely everything about my life

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    #5

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    Kninemusic Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Who wouldn't want to look like a police sergeant in the Bahamas?? I WANT THAT SHIRT.

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    #6

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    dkimuk Report

    Caroline Kimber
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    But that could mean HE isn't the best dancer :)

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    #7

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    VoteLewko Report

    Take me to dinner first
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Not cool, Daniel, really selfish

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    #8

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    _mama_bear Report

    Louisa Johnson
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    While slavery is not comparable, I'm white so the comments I get from my mum is not at all comparable to your mum's comment, but my god they would get along our mums. Mine is awful for saying s****y things about my clothes, she does it to my sisters as well. Little comments like "oh wow that is such a lovely top, it's a shame you don't have the figure for it. It's been this way forever.

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    #9

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    GGober_Tx Report

    Linda van A.
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    🤣

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    #10

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    TiltedCrown2 Report

    James016
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Harsh

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    #11

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    lgtarpley Report

    Take me to dinner first
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    It would be funnier if she kept looking back and forth between you and the pic

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    #12

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    queenjenkins Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    See, this is the kind of statement that I say to people all the time. It's funny as f**k and not really offensive, just strange.

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    #13

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    StrayCatAgain Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    My mum wasn't too keen on being referred to as an old lady recently. She's in her 80's. I've not yet been referred to as an old man, but that day will come!

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    #14

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    rcwhlr Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    That's nothing. A long time ago, a girlfriend took me ( a young man) to meet her parents. Straight away they said to her, 'Darling why didn't you tell us you were a lesbian?'

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    #15

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    MongoSlade64 Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    🚨INSUFFERABLE B***H ALERT, PROCEED WITH CAUTION🚨

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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    CanofOil Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Sorry, but that is a good one.

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    #17

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    johntaylorshow Report

    Jp@nda
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    LMFAO 😂😂😂 aahhhh you couldn't even be mad at that, that s**t is hysterical... Have to protect Gotham.... I'm dead

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    #18

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    Barbawire Report

    I_dont_now_what_to_say_here
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    😭

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    #19

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    AshlayahNeal Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The axe forgets, but the tree remembers.

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    #20

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    YannieM__ Report

    Jessica Seltenright
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    To be fair, Rihanna has a huge forehead, so maybe this was a backhanded compliment

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    #21

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    unavailablegrl Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Well at least you don't have two left feet - You'd be wearing 'flop flops.

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    #22

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    montsamu Report

    Dispatcherqueen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Terrible teacher

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    #23

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    meeofthemow Report

    Vermonta
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    He needed glasses

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    #24

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    MyBleedingInk Report

    Todd Campbell
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Heartless - I’m sure he regrets saying that now.

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    #25

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    that_tattoos Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

    I once sat down on a park bench and someone just dropped money on me and said "buy some food with it"... truly says something about how I dress

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    #26

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    Radiobex Report

    Anyone-for-tea?
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    If you’re 5ft, surely most men to you are “tall”?

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    #27

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    TGOT_msp Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Ugh, its a KIDS GAME. let kids be kids!!

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    #28

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    Lamar031000 Report

    Louisa Johnson
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    It should not put you off light skinned girls, just bitches. The love of your life could be light skinned and you wouldn't look twice because of a s****y comment. X

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    #29

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    lindsaygoldwert Report

    censorshipsucks
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    overstated, overconfident, smug, but actually s**t?

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    #30

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    aaronblackshear Report

    René Sauer
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    And? What does that mean?

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    #31

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    barrrberrr2 Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Chidren. Who needs them?

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    #32

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    DrGililland Report

    Maggie
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Good reply.

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    #33

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    BracingWeather Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    How very creative

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    #34

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    DHCalifornicus Report

    Jaya
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Such a hilariously random thing to say.

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    #35

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    MeltedDollParts Report

    Maggie
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    What the f.

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    #36

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    LianaJacob Report

    Jessica Seltenright
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I stopped wearing makeup and manager told me for weeks I looked tired and asked if i was okay 😫

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    #37

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    rekal_total Report

    Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    A guy complained that his ex-girlfriend now dates his twin brother, awkward silence all around. Then another dude is like "well you're certainly not ugly, I guess it was just your personality" 🤣

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    #38

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    BraccoCallaghan Report

    daniel ikelman
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    That statement is the reason to break up

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    #39

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    _MeOhMaii Report

    A girl
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I was informed in 7th grade that I looked like joanne whirly (famous at the time but matronly) or Wayne Yulivich (9th grade jock @$$hole at my school). My dad was the most supportive. You're 12, you're smart, you're a little weird, and you're a 6' tall woman. It's going to take a couple years before people your age appreciate that. Thanks Dad. I'm a giant "little old lady" now and it amuses me to no end that people try to dis you for things you cannot control.

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    #40

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    jeradwalker Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    what's a Brunswick?

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    #41

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    benryanwriter Report

    Pieter LeGrande
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Him: "What you do that for?" You: "Practicing my method acting skills for showing anger".

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    #42

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    WhoDat8107 Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    You dodged a bullet by not going out with him. What a nightmare he would've been in the long-term.

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    #43

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    Ellieminimay Report

    Very Normal Giraffe
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Luckily I have none so i'll already know!

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    #44

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    Semper_Mello Report

    Henry Russell
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    thats why you always eat the forehead first ( it also tastes like a crunch bar)

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    #45

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    wfhsahm Report

    Eva Kašu
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited)

    What? You´re sure it was a man not a three pre-schoolers in a trenchcoat? :D

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    #46

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    domril Report

    ohjojo (you/your's)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    So I hung my head in shame and went back and built the roof

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    #47

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    mbaram Report

    Jason C.
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I find that to be a very appropriate description of lettuce.

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    #48

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    ScooterMagruder Report

    Geoffrey Scott
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Perfect opportunity to do the Obama anger interpreter, Luther

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    #49

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    MartinChelt Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I remember him. The chairman of the debate was being very kind to him. No wonder why most of the politicians are sitting sleeping during debates in Westminster.

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    #50

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    MySupremePortal Report

    Caroline Kimber
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    That's awful :( 💔

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    #51

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    foulsyke Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Also Irish and went to London and was told the same thing. I said I know where your family live. I didn't, but I got free Guiness the whole night.

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    #52

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    catherinewilts Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    You must find out who 'They' are, and try to find them equipped with as many insults as possible.

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    #53

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    _a__n__d__r__a_ Report

    Deborah B
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    "Wow! You sure are mean and ill mannered!" The only thing to do in this situation is to hit it straight on.

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    #54

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    mrbillding Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Went to a job interview once, and even before I sat down, one of the interviewers said, 'Thanks for coming - We'll let you know in due course' I was waiting for half an hour until the candidate before me had finished his interview. Real confidence booster.

    #55

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    theejaysworld Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Don't we all, though? I always look like I snuck out of a bush.

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    #56

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    AlainaKarenina Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Cruel

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    #57

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    solar_chase Report

    deejak
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    The way kids nowadays buy clothes pre-torn and hole-y, I hesitate to discard my old stuff, wondering if I should ebay it. Hey, it takes years to get genuine worn holes.

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    #58

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    AllanRicharz Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I agree totally with this - Trying to find employment on Linkedin is not a fruitful excercise. I just unsubscribed myself from it.

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    #59

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    WooYnf Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    No matter how small an accomplishment, be proud. You are doing enough. 💝

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    #60

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    KateWellham Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Just smile and take everything he says as a compliment. If it is not mean't to be one, it will really annoy him.

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    #61

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    RDSpatchcock Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    'Yes dad, he does look a bit like you'

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    #62

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    2and2equals5 Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    He doesn't deserve to have you in his life.

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    #63

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    CathyReisenwitz Report

    FabulousMari
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Translation: "Are you incompetent or just an idiot?"

    #64

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    leonclarance Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I hate wine people who claim to be experts. At the end of the day, wine is just an expensive handful of grapes.

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    #65

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    Mike59765518 Report

    Pickles, Pennies, & Ponies
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I once heard a kid in school say to another kid, "Why don't your shoes have a party and invite your pants down." It's funnier today than it was back then.

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    #66

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    emmaaitkenF1 Report

    Roan The Demon Kitty
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    yes, flesh tends to be quite squishy.

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    #67

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    NonagonNonsense Report

    Miles Mawyer
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Why does anybody care how many followers people have?? Not everybody is a social media try hard.

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    #68

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    camerong98 Report

    robin aldrich
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Similar experience here: I was a teenager babysitting a neighbor's kid, I had just gotten contacts, kid told me I looked funny without my glasses, I said thanks, he looked puzzled

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    #69

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    molls Report

    Red PANda (she/they)
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I take offense to this. I for one quite enjoy eating lunatic salad.

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    #70

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    nijigasakilove Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Had she just watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

    #71

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    PhilipTerzian Report

    #72

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    consentMfg Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Why would you have to explain it to the FBI? Is there something I'm missing here?

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    #73

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    heyjasi Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Just keep believing it wasn't you.

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    #74

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    Pergamond Report

    Gaspode the Wonder Dog
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    What a load of rubbish.Also a sign of fertility when your kids raid it

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    #75

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    elehutch Report

    Con O Cuinn
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    For context, Coppers is a relatively famous nightclub in Dublin

    #76

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    ezzbeane Report

    censorshipsucks
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I'd never have noticed, it's not like they have flags all over them.

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    #77

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    Ozwxm2 Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I was once driving with my car mother in the passenger seat. It was snowy, and some wee f***er threw a snowball at my car. It went through a small gap in the window, missed my mother and hit me right in the face. All i could think of was, 'what a great shot'.

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    #78

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    blueenoughsky Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Me: "you aint got no house"

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    #79

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    MarkAssnigga Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Trendsetter

    #80

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    abdulio_206 Report

    René Sauer
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    That was weird, but what does that have to do with being somali? Are they known for having big foreheads or something?

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    #81

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    johni_sweeney Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Honey I shrunk the kids

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    #82

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    Wildwood_photos Report

    Oliver Kettle
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    No "Gigachad theme starts playing"

    #83

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    ElaineARoche Report

    Caroline Kimber
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    More like beautiful, and will always be beautiful!

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    #84

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    ms_bee_parlay Report

    SkyBlueandBlack
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Sounds like someone wanted detention.

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    #85

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    AmyResnick Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    My smart mouth would have gotten me forced out by security

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    #86

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    JasminHerself Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Hope you have a six pack now

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    #87

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    JRCT70 Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    What a combination - 'Wa*king t*at face. Sounds more like a skill than an insult

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    #88

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    notdocbut Report

    Gabby M
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Mean Girl. But they are cute!

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    #89

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    hellyeahdoilies Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Once when I was a teenager, I had hair. Stop bl**dy complaining!

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    #90

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    losouknoso22 Report

    #91

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    DjAsIs Report

    Ranger Kanootsen
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I would've said "at least I have a house". And that's why I have no friends.

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    #92

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    BricksDontMusic Report

    Seamus Crumley
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Have you not watched 'Full metal jacket?' Being called a turd is nothing

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    #93

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    ladyofleisuredc Report

    Isaac Nemo
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I love that, "I didn't know myself then"

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    #94

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    JayC_121197 Report

    #95

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    JumaaneWilliams Report

    Anne Jones
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    Head heart?

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    #96

    Insults-People-Never-Forget

    clemmiecanwrite Report

    A girl
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    I'm a girl who is borderline tenor. Think Sheryl Crow and Tom Petty had a child...me.

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