Shakespeare Insult Generator: Mix and Match More than 150,000 Insults in the Bard’s Own Words

by Barry Kraft

Put dullards and miscreants in their place with more than 150,000 handy mix-and-match insults in the bard's own words. This entertaining insult generator and flip book collects hundreds of words from Shakespeare's most pointed barbs and allows readers to combine them in creative and hilariously stinging ways. From "apish bald-pated abomination" to "cuckoldly dull-brained blockhead" to "obscene rump-fed hornbeast," each insult can be chosen at random or customized to fit any situation that calls for a literary smackdown. Featuring an informative introduction on Shakespearean wit, and notes on which terms were coined or only used once by the author in his work, this delightful book will sharpen the tongue of Shakespeare fans and insult aficionados without much further ado.

Genres: Humor, Reference, Shakespeare, Poetry, Nonfiction, Classics

118 pages, Spiral-bound

First published March 11, 2014

Reviews

[Greg]

Updated on September 16, 2026:

Just posted my most recent thoughts on my Substack about how this book is great linguistic therapy for today's political environment:

The author of the forthcoming book Profiles in Cowardice: A Study of Collaboration in the Trump Era revealed that former President George W. Bush engages in a sort of art therapy by painting ugly portraits of President Trump. Bush, who has famously spent much of his post-presidency indulging in his amateur passion of painting, has not and does not intend to make them public.

Based on the available evidence, there has been little-to-no improvement. Nonetheless, he could likely make a mint on them; they have a ready-made market. It wouldn’t be a Trump or Trump-adjacent kind of money. But still.

I’ve also been engaging in occasional therapy myself the past couple of years. As dismissive as I am of Bush’s art artistic abilities will never reach, no matter who much I try, the level of Bush’s mediocrity. I’m more comfortable with words, as much as I struggle with them at times.

To read the rest of the essay, click the link here. (free)

Original Review:

You need this. More than you could ever imagine. Trust me.

And if you think you don't, you are a mammering, rump-fed princox. Or perhaps even a lubberly, clay-brained rampallian.

Still not convinced? Give me some time, according to the book cover, I've got at least 150,000 of 'em to find the right insult.

[Sharon Anderson]

This book was an obscene-swag bellied-ticklebrain! And a beslubbering-lily livered-codpiece. Among other things 😂

[Cvn]

A witty and clever insult generator, this book brings Shakespeare’s sharpest barbs to life with over 150,000 hilarious combinations. Perfect for fans of the Bard or lovers of wordplay, it’s both educational and entertaining. Whether you're crafting insults or exploring Shakespearean wit, it’s as surprising as finding core cutting in UAE mentioned in a sonnet—a delightful literary twist!

[Mikaela S.]

The aesthetic alone pleases me greatly! Not only am I able to call out friends and strangers alike in a modern day world using old world lingo, I’m also learning what those words mean.

This volume was gifted to me by s friend a couple of years ago, and it has since then lived on my shelves next to my Shakespeare and other dramatic poetry/plays.

[Lady reading under the Willow]

Hilarious! 😂 I laughed so hard at many of these.

Everything is defined, too, so it's great for expanding your Shakespearean vocabulary.

I feel like I need to supply my siblings with copies of this. Our family gatherings would be more entertaining than ever! 😂

Note: not G-rated.

[Mae Ricci]

162 new words in my vocabulary, hurray

[Jimena Casillas]

What do you need to insult properly?

[Elizabeth]

Fun book- I would like more information on the individual plays that the insults are from, however.

[Alex]

Received as a gift from a wishlist. Perfectly timed during for use and coinciding with my passion for exploring the works of 12th Great-Uncle Will. So much fun and so easy to use!

[superawesomekt]

Picked this up in Ashland, Oregon. Way better than the Shakespearean insult daily calendar I got. I will definitely be giving this as a gift!

[Manny Villa]

65225

[M]

65225

[Loes M.]

Let's start with this amazing introduction! It says that these Shakespearian insults are welcome when compared with the F-word which is used most at this time. “The usage of the F-word, is more akin to the pre-linguistic banality of dogs barking at one another than it is to any inventiveness of human wordsmithery.”

I bought this book at a book fair and I was so happy with it! As someone who loves to read, who loves language and who has a degree in English, this is the.perfect.book for me! So basically, you open it, and there are types of words that you can combine to make the perfect Shakespearean insult. On the back of the strips of paper, all the words are explained. It is also mentioned if the word was invented by Shakespeare (or at least first recorded in his writing) and if he used the insult only once or more. I absolutely love it! The next person who defies me had better watch out: “degenerate sheep-biting blockhead”!

[Trinity]

Only lost the fifth star because of stiffness in the spiral binding. Could cause page tearing!

[Kristen Post]

It is incredibly delightful to flip through this book, formulating fantastic insults to hurl at my friends and family. I am a fan.

[John Opalenik]

Got this as a gift. My friends know me so well.

[Daniel]

Well... it does what it says on the tin and was amusing for about an hour...

[Janelle]

I read this awhile ago. It is very amusing and entertaining.