Just relate to them the distinctions between matter and form, and substance and accident, or the primacy of individuals over universals…. as Aristotle, did while teaching philosophy while walking in the Lyceum
I once heard an eight-year-old boy call his younger sister “You paralytic mollusc!”because he knew she didn’t know what the words meant. She ran off crying to mama that he’d sworn at her.
I think no matter how good an insult is I would consider it wasted if the person at the other end did not understand it. After all our satisfaction of their reaction is the ultimate goal
If someone were to use that insult, then Calvin could respond, “No, we’re a couple of slobs named Calvin and Hobbes.”Wait……….No, I guess that doesn’t work very well……
peripatetic – definition of peripatetic by the Free Online Dictionary …www.thefreedictionary.com/peripateticper·i·pa·tet·ic (p r -p -t t k). adj. 1. Walking about or from place to place; traveling on foot. 2. Peripatetic Of or relating to the philosophy or teaching methods of …how do you retort that. anyway, it’s alliteration, not rhyme
I learned in Anthropology long ago that boys in Turkey typically used rhyming insults —although it was more common to make a rhyme with an insult directed at you (along the lines of “You’re a loser!” “Oh yeah? Your father’s a boozer!”).
I once told a bully in high school that his “synapses seem insufficiently setose”. Fortunately, he had no more idea what that meant than Moe. (And I could run faster than Calvin.)
Pari-pa-tet-ic (capitalized) n. a follower of Aristotle. Quite a vocabulary Calvin has. Surely he’ll try to work it into his crossword puzzle tomorrow.
ratlum about 11 years ago
Yes of course.
Downundergirl about 11 years ago
Just relate to them the distinctions between matter and form, and substance and accident, or the primacy of individuals over universals…. as Aristotle, did while teaching philosophy while walking in the Lyceum
rentier about 11 years ago
An appropriate retort would be good!!
margueritem about 11 years ago
Nah, just roll with it.
MiepR about 11 years ago
I might be charmed. It would depend.
watmiwori about 11 years ago
Something snappy, along the lines of, “Ah, your mother wesrsarmy boots” should fit the bill nicely.
wrahool about 11 years ago
Rhyme? Shouldn’t be alliteration?
orinoco womble about 11 years ago
I once heard an eight-year-old boy call his younger sister “You paralytic mollusc!”because he knew she didn’t know what the words meant. She ran off crying to mama that he’d sworn at her.
unclebewey about 11 years ago
Calvin, may I suggest the following snappy retorts. (Credit The Manly Handbook) Oh yea. Who wants to know? Says you. You and what Army?
ziphobia about 11 years ago
I think no matter how good an insult is I would consider it wasted if the person at the other end did not understand it. After all our satisfaction of their reaction is the ultimate goal
Phapada about 11 years ago
if some day my english is better soon….
cdward about 11 years ago
The best iIcould come up with on the spot is: “As opposed to you who are solo, so low, & so slow.”
Aaron Saltzer about 11 years ago
That was random. Calvin seems like a grump today. Sheesh.
jreckard about 11 years ago
A pair of nudist parachutists.A pair of little paradiddles.
alan.gurka about 11 years ago
My old standby: “Up your nose with a rubber hose!”
sbchamp about 11 years ago
Whaddaya pay Hobbes for?
Puddleglum2 about 11 years ago
Calvin sounds more like a restless, roaming radical rascal!
QuiteDragon about 11 years ago
You guys (non-gender specific version ;^) are missing the more appropriate, second, definition of an “Aristotelian philosopher”.
Poollady about 11 years ago
Just report the retort
Hobbes Premium Member about 11 years ago
If someone were to use that insult, then Calvin could respond, “No, we’re a couple of slobs named Calvin and Hobbes.”Wait……….No, I guess that doesn’t work very well……
moronbis about 11 years ago
Why did Calvin even think of the insult in the first place?
moronbis about 11 years ago
“Thou, vicious vagabond, we are on the same road”
QuiteDragon about 11 years ago
I might add, the insult seems to break the fourth wall, as well.
mistercatworks about 11 years ago
A good response would be: “And you’re a solo, solipsistic cynic.”
paulscon about 11 years ago
peripatetic – definition of peripatetic by the Free Online Dictionary …www.thefreedictionary.com/peripateticper·i·pa·tet·ic (p r -p -t t k). adj. 1. Walking about or from place to place; traveling on foot. 2. Peripatetic Of or relating to the philosophy or teaching methods of …how do you retort that. anyway, it’s alliteration, not rhyme
bcathey1960 about 11 years ago
It’s defined in Meriam Webster (online) as a person who follows the teachings of Aristotle. I do enjoy learning new words through the comics.
OldTimer62 about 11 years ago
I learned in Anthropology long ago that boys in Turkey typically used rhyming insults —although it was more common to make a rhyme with an insult directed at you (along the lines of “You’re a loser!” “Oh yeah? Your father’s a boozer!”).
stamps about 11 years ago
Just ignore the nattering nabobs of negativism.
Piksea Premium Member about 11 years ago
I, too, am a contingency planner. You can never be too prepared for what may come.
ChessPirate about 11 years ago
“I’m bettin’ I’m talkin’ to a cretin!”
phoenixnyc about 11 years ago
“Alliteration is the last refuge of the feebleminded.”
Number Three about 11 years ago
Love Calvin’s angry expression in the 3rd panel.
xxx
SemperFiMarine about 11 years ago
Ready retort? Really? Readily renounce radical ripostes and rejoinders. Reflexively and rapidly.
JP Steve Premium Member about 11 years ago
Actually pathETIC peripatETICS works better as a rhyme than an alliteration. PATHetic PATHfinders would be alliteration.
stuart about 11 years ago
I once told a bully in high school that his “synapses seem insufficiently setose”. Fortunately, he had no more idea what that meant than Moe. (And I could run faster than Calvin.)
derp0potato about 11 years ago
Like you.
codeplay about 11 years ago
Whoa Calvin! I actually had to look up peripatetics
lizilu about 11 years ago
Pari-pa-tet-ic (capitalized) n. a follower of Aristotle. Quite a vocabulary Calvin has. Surely he’ll try to work it into his crossword puzzle tomorrow.