Some of the world's best insults have been born here in the British Isles, but now some of the classics are apparently at risk of dying out.
Linguists have said that the days may be numbered for classic insults like pillock and plonker.
When was the last time you heard the word 'tosspot'? Can you remember when you last called somebody a 'prat', a 'git', or maybe a 'nitwit'? Or perhaps branded a clumsy or stupid person a 'lummox'?
Well, when it comes to Gen Z, there's a good chance the answer to all of those questions is 'never', The Manc reports.
That's because a new survey has discovered that a significant number of those born between 1997 and 2012 aren't familiar with a wide range of classic insults used by Brits.
Instead, Gen Z were found to be embracing newer insults such as 'Karen', 'simp', and 'basic'.
This shocking revelation comes after international research agency, Perspectus Global, recently carried out a survey asking 2,000 people which insults they recognised from a long list of words that are used both nationally across the UK and regionally too.
Loads of classic British insults like pillock and plonker are 'at risk of dying out' / Credit: Joshua Hoehne (via Unsplash)
Topping the list of insults that are at risk of dying out is the aforementioned 'lummox', with 62% of people surveyed under 28 years of age, and just over half of all those surveyed, being unfamiliar with the term - which is most commonly used in East Anglia.
'Bampot' was second on the list, with 60% being unfamiliar with the word, while 'blighter' was third, having stumped 54% of young people, and 'ninny' - which is a light-hearted word for a silly person - and 'cad', which is a word for a dishonest man, both rounding out the top five and flummoxing just over half of those surveyed.
'Numpty', 'scallywag', 'toe rag', and 'prat' are some of the other insults featured on the list.
Fans of the absolute classic British sitcom that is Only Fools And Horses might also be a bit miffed to find out that one of Del Boy's favourite insults to fire at his brother Rodney, 'plonker', was unknown by a quarter (25%) of Gen Z.
"Language changes, evolves and moves on," explained Harriet Scott, who is the CEO of Perspectus Global, as the shocking survey results were released.
"Our research shows that calling someone a plonker or a prat is no longer a fashionable way to insult them, and interestingly, the research highlights the extent to which Brits feel some of the more traditional jibes, feel softer and less severe, than some of today's more controversial ones."
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Channel 4 is looking for adult virgins with ‘intimacy issues’ for next series of hit reality show
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before.
First hitting screens back in 2024 and having run for two successful seasons now, Virgin Island follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
You can find out more and register your interest here.
Emily Sergeant -
14th May 2024 
