names

Thân thiện

A child stands up to a bully by saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names can never hurt me."

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Verbal insults or abusive language: "Names" refers to offensive or derogatory words used to attack or hurt someone verbally.
   • A crude substitute for argument: It signifies using insults instead of rational discussion or logical reasoning.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The bully was called to the principal's office for calling other children names.
  • In a debate, you should use facts, not resort to names.
  • The old saying goes, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."

Advanced Usage

• "to call someone names": to insult someone by using offensive words.
  • It is immature to call someone names just because you disagree with them.

Variants and Related Words

• Name-calling (n): the act of using insulting names to attack someone.
  • The political debate devolved into childish name-calling.

Synonyms

• Insults: offensive and disparaging remarks.
• Abuse: cruel and violent treatment, including verbal attacks.
• Taunts: remarks intended to provoke or mock someone.

Related Phrases

• "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me": A proverb suggesting that verbal insults should not cause emotional harm.
  • When the other kids teased him, he remembered the saying about sticks and stones.

Notes on Meaning

• The word "names" in this specific sense is almost exclusively used in the plural form and within the context of verbal abuse or insulting language. It is distinct from the singular "name," which refers to a word or phrase identifying a person, place, or thing.

Học thuật

Noun

1. verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
   • sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me

Từ đồng nghĩa

• name calling