The word can have swearing but not genderisation which might be offensive (mother) nor allusions to sexual dominance (motherfucker). Nor, other possibly offensive connotations. It seems that the word is commonplace and people won’t stop using it, so an alternative to the word may be useful. But the problem with alternatives, is that people might not use them unless they carry a meaning that’s attention grabbing in some way, and when it comes to this word it needs to be able to be used in either a serious (non-funny) or comedic way.
Are you looking for an inoffensive insult?
…or for an insult so accurately aiming at the person to be insulted like pissing through a key hole from a 11.5 ft distance.
Upvoting because this is a a true “no stupid questions” post.
So… I think you need to look into the social and cognitive nature of swear words. Vsauce has a pretty good primer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd7dQh8u4Hc
I think you also need to let go of the desire to be better than common culture, and/or the desire to engineer a better culture from an external perspective. People are gross and messy, imprecise and reckless. It’s what makes us interesting, motherfucker.
“Dad”
Literally means the same thing.
I’ve had it with these dad snakes on this dad plane!
… just doesn’t have the same punch to it.
That’s offensive to lesbian couples who used artificial insemination only.
Asshole works, but its not as rude.
The bigger question is, are you honestly that much of a prude?
I actually think that depending on the context asshole is more hurtful than motherfucker. “He’s a stupid motherfucker” seems like you are just angry. “He’s an asshole” sounds like he legit is a ln awful person. Not a dominant fucker or anything. Just a dirty, unpleasant being. It is more demeaning I would say. I would be more hurt to be called an asshole than a motherfucker.
Maternal fornicator
Doesn’t maternal fornicator imply a power imbalance? How about Mutually Consenting Same-Age Peer Fucker?
…just swear all fucking ready.
You’re all a bunch of scuzz-junkin’ puppy touchers.
Swearing is fine what the fuck (just demonstrating). It’s more about trying to avoid offending demographics of individuals or upholding oppression/oppressive views.
Motherfucker, what the motherfucking fuck are you fucking on about?
Are you some kind of fatherfucker with this fatherfucking fuckery?
“Asshole” is a personal favorite.
Nailed it on the head
- Puppy toucher
- Scuzz junkie
- Seat sniffer
- Lostprophet
- Arsebagel
- Enjoyer of Other People’s Sheep
- Soldier of 4chan
- Doucheballoon
- His Imperial Knobnobblin, Huffboy Crustmaster Studmuffin of the Lousewortshire¹ Studmuffins
- Trumpie
¹ Pronounced “Loser”
Soldier of 4Chan is devastating
Upvote for Scuzzjunkie.
The hell is scuzz? S-tier cuzzin?
Beats me. It has no discernible meaning as far as I know. Yet if you called me a scuzzjunkie with any sort of conviction, I’d feel affronted.
Well there’s always the simplification to just fucker
I think the more “valued” or preferred part of an insult is rather its phonetic or expressive aspect rather than the semantic one. Of course the semantic parts plays a role, as well, but the need to use stressed syllables to express oneself, or simply vent out the emotion, far surpasses the need to utter a semantically-accurate syllable or word to badmouth someone or something.
See here from Monty Python and the Holy Grail
It is a beautiful insult that can vent out the emotions, or can be used for fun among friends etc. that uses no semantics to insult people, but uses very mouthful words to stress and some unfocused (as in not targeting any types of people) pragmatics, like insulting someone by insulting their parents, and insulting them as such making them out to be not something they are (was an x, smelt).
So, whatever semantically gender-neutral alternative you are looking for, consider to have a very strong expressive aspect to it that sticks to tongue.
parent shagger?
How about DGR Dave’s “son of a butt”?
I’m good with sticking with plain old motherfucker and have absolutely zero intention of replacing it with some convoluted bullshit alternative. I figure if he/she/it/they/them are offended by my use of the word motherfucker then it’s aimed at he/she/it/they/them anyway and all those motherfuckers can get fucked and stay fucked. Tired of catering to everyone’s sensibilities. Grow a pair, or a twat, put on your grown up panties and get the fuck over it.
is this a joke
