Our language has a lot of richness, although much of it has been lost over the years. Anglicisms have gained ground, there are new words all the time, but “old Castilian” can be valid: it is just a matter of knowing and practicing it.
What better way to honor our old Spanish than by using it to insult? Well, the truth is that we shouldn’t insult anyone. Under no point of view do we agree with using these words to attack. However, if you are going to deploy your arguments with intelligence and irony… These “insults” of the old Castilian can be used.
We bet that as you learn the meaning of these words… You will want to replace the clumsy modern idioms you use to express what you dislike!
So save these beautiful words and use them to insult like a true Spanish expert.
1. Carcunda
It comes from the Portuguese, where the absolutists were thus designated in the Portuguese political struggles of the early nineteenth century.
Basically, it means “person of retrograde ideas or attitudes”, conservative. Surely you know more than one who fits the title.
2. Casquivano
A person “of little seat and reflection”. That is thoughtless.
It is also used to talk about someone who “has no formality in their sexual relations.” But that, of course, does not have to be an insult.
3. Puppet
Fantoche is a “grotesque doll frequently moved by means of strings”. But also, it can be used to insult in many ways.
The definitions provided by the RAE for this amazing word from old Spanish are:
- Grotesque and contemptible person.
- Foolishly presumptuous subject.
- Person dressed or made up in an outlandish way.
There’s more than one puppet going around, don’t you think?
4. Fop
“Person who cares a lot about his composure and following fashions.”
Any frivolous in the room?
5. Verriondo
Says the RAE:
“Said of an animal, especially a pig: That is in heat.”
You don’t need me to explain the analogy with people, do you?
6. Zascandil
For those people you don’t trust one bit, this is the word to use. Its formal definition:
- Person of little formality, restless and entangling.
- Cunning man, deceiver, usually swindler.
7. Zurumbatic
To finish, another beautiful word that Portuguese gives us. In that language, it means ‘dark, melancholic’. Well, it is a derivative of the word “shadow”. But in Spanish, it is used with another connotation. According to the RAE, it means:
Lelo, stunned, stunned.
Did you like these old Castilian insults? Do you dare to start using them?