fighting words

n. words intentionally directed toward another person which are so nasty and full of malice as to cause the hearer to suffer emotional distress or incite him/her to immediately retaliate physically (hit, stab, shoot, etc.) While such words are not an excuse or defense for a retaliatory assault and battery, if they are threatening they can form the basis for a lawsuit for assault.

References in periodicals archive ?

Founded in 2009 by The Barrytown Trilogy author and Sean Love, Fighting Words aims to provide primary and secondary level students with the chance to explore their imagination through creative writing.

Eason and Doyle team up for charity

A speech-based criminal-harassment conviction passes First Amendment muster if it is based on fighting words that target the victim, are capable of inciting an immediate fight, and seriously alarm the victim,'' Gail Johnson's lawyer, Valerie DePalma, wrote in a legal brief.

Harassment law under microscope

appealed and the case made its way to the Supreme Court, which is when the term fighting words

Let's Get Ready To Rumble

But all of the fighting words sounded a lot more like the Republican presidential candidates race than an annual prize for truck maker bragging rights.

Texas Sportsmen Balk at NAIAS Truck of the Year Win for Range Rover Evoque

Perhaps sensing the increased scrutiny of his candidacy over everything from his jobs record to his views on evolution, Perry ended his remarks with fighting words for the "liberal pundits," advising his supporters about how they should reply when the media downplays the Texas way: "I want you to say, 'That dog won't hunt

After Whirlwind Week, Perry Returns to Texas

Fighting words from a man who admits the next two games are 'must-win' for him.

Wales off in search of the Lost Ark

He acknowledged that Lebanese hummus "is very good" but boasted that "Abu Gosh is the hummus capital of the world" -- fighting words to rival fans.

Arab-Israeli village mashes up world's largest hummus

For Mayweather, a sure Hall of Famer whose only current blemish is that he hasn't fought some of the welterweight (147 pound) division's best fighters - Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley, Cotto and now Pacquiao - those were fighting words.

THEY'RE SO MONEY WITH MAYWEATHER, PACQUIAO CONTINUING THEIR WAR OF WORDS, A POTENTIAL MEGAFIGHT BETWEEN THE BOXERS GETS CLOSER TO BECOMING REALITY

Netanyahu did not address the issue at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting, but the fighting words were echoed by other members of the cabinet, including the Labor party.

Israel 'loyalty law' rejected

Them's fighting words (at least in Elizabethan England), but she was greeted with nothing but a round of laughter and cheers.

INSULTS MEANT TO MAKE AN ELIZABETHAN'S BLOOD BOIL

Sources: Paul Dickson, War Slang: American Fighting Words and Phrases since the Civil War (2d ed.

The military roots of civilian sayings

I did not like those books and the name Calvin because they seemed to cause these animated discussions, with fighting words, about a split in the Church causing a division between my mother's family, where we loved to go on holidays, and my father's side.