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.

Mentioned in

Abusive
Eleventh Amendment
First Amendment
Freedom of Speech
hate crime
Opinion of the Supreme Court, March 9, 1964
Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions

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