Insult Backfire: Difference between revisions

'''[[Card-Carrying Villain|Robotnik]]''': Why thank you, princess!|''[[Sonic Sat AM]]''}}

Not to be confused with [[Insult Misfire]], where the target obliviously doesn't realize the insult was directed at ''them''. Compare [[Threat Backfire]]. Compare and contrast [[I Take Offense to That Last One]], where there are multiple insults, but the character may only object to one of them. See also [[Blunt Yes]], which is often based on a similar theme. Contrast [[Compliment Backfire]]. See also [[Insult Friendly Fire]] and [[I Resemble That Remark]].

*:* Also from that episode (number 54):

*:* Also Ishida to Szayel:

*:* Unohana to Aizen, if you see Aizen's reply as a [[Stealth Pun]]:

*:* For the context: Kitami is a demon worshipper who made a pact with a powerful [[Horny Devils|incubus]]. Comparing her to the Devil is like comparing a Christian to Jesus.

== Comics --Comic Books ==

*:* On ''[[The Batman]]''.

*:* ''[[Batman]]: [[The Long Halloween]]''

*:* An early version of this (at least for the Joker), from [[Batman]] #321.

*:* And an even earlier example in ''The Joker's Five-Way Revenge'' (Batman #251). Yeah, the Joker ''really'' likes this trope.

*:* Subverted, however, in ''[[The Dark Knight Saga]]''.

**:* And played straight in [[Tim Burton]]'s ''[[Batman (film)|Batman]]'':

*:* Probably a paraphrase of P.J. O'Rourke who was once called a Nazi by an offended listener. "I have often been called a Nazi... I don't let it bother me for one simple reason. No one has ''ever'' had a fantasy about being tied to a bed and sexually ravished by someone dressed as a liberal."

*:* Don't forget Mr. Rictus reply to Wesley calling him a "goatfucker."

{{quote|'''JonJack:''' "YouGo haveto many flaws, GarfieldHades."

*:* Though it's possible Gaston just didn't know the word and assumed it was a compliment.

*:* So essentially, they admit that Harry is financially and socially superior to them, something that bullies tend to value. Rather odd.

*:** Their tone was clearly sarcastic, in that they don't believe Harry has that kind of influence over his father.

* In ''[[Harry Potter/Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (novel)|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'', Hermione reappropriates the [[Fantastic Slur]] for [[Witch Species|wizards of impure blood]], declaring herself to be "Mudblood and proud of it!"

** In ''[[Harry Potter/Harry Potter and Thethe Half-Blood Prince (novel)|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'', The new Minister [[Lawful Neutral|Scrimgeour]] accused Harry of being "Dumbledore's man through and through". Harry, of course, [[Character Witness|happily admits it]].

** From ''[[Harry Potter/Harry Potter and Thethe Order of Thethe Phoenix (novel)|Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', there's the "Weasley is Our King" song. At first it's used by the Slytherins to mock Ron's sub-par quidditch playing, but is later used by the Gryffindors to ''praise'' his quidditch playing once he proves himself to be quite good at it. Doubles as a [[Triumphant Reprise]].

* ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' "[[Star Trek/Recap/S1/E20 Court Martial|Court Martial]]"examples:

*:* McCoy has just walked in on Spock playing 3D chess against the computer while Kirk is facing some serious criminal charges. It is revealed that Spock was testing a hypothesis that the computer he was playing against {{spoiler|had been tampered with, producing some false evidence framing Kirk. He was correct.}}

*:* In "The Return of the Archons":

*:* [[Lampshade Hanging|Lampshaded]] in ''[[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier]]'':

*:** Wilf got his own back in part 2. When the Master condescendingly told the Doctor, "Oh, your dad's still kicking up a fuss,"(referring to Wilf) Wilf defiantly replied, "I'd be proud if I was."

*:* Another heroic example occurs in "School Reunion". Never has a robot sounded so ''smug''.

*:* In "The Family of Blood", when a Tim Lamiter absorbs some of the Doctor's psyche and runs off to help him:

*:* Also in the spinoff ''[[The Sarah Jane Adventures]]'', "The Gift":

*:** And in the same episode:

'''Piggy''' (earnestly): Thank you! It's nice to know money hasn't changed me. }}

*:* Later in the same episode:

'''Piggy''': Thanks! I've done my best. }}

*:* One golden moment from the "Let's Make a Date" game, where one player invariably plays some kind of ditz when trying to guess what the bachelors are acting like:

*:* From a game of "Scenes from a Hat," the scene was "Secret Lives of 'Whose Line' Stars"

*:* And in another episode, after Rimmer double-crosses them:

*:* Yet another Cat example:

*:* Speaking of Tate and Tennant... Well, I could see a similar exchange to that happening in [[Doctor Who]]. Both ways.

*:* Alex has walked in too late to hear that Sarah's dressing slutty on purpose to annoy her parents, who are visiting the pub.

*:* The opposite happens in 'Mr. Monk And His Biggest Fan':

*:* One episode (can't remember the title) had someone pointing out how lonely Monk must be. His response? "Yes, I am, thank you."

*:* ...and after Malcolm wins the job that Nick Hanway wanted, via numerous [[plans]]

*:* Most insults aimed at Malcolm backfire as he is already fully aware of his [[Magnificent Bastard|bastardry]]. The tables are turned however when he finds himself in a meeting at the [[BBC]], trying to offend two TV producers with inappropriate comments. One tells him "that's exactly the sort of banter we're looking for!": Unused to such [[Professional Butt-Kisser|butt-kissing]], he responds by looking absolutely terrified.

*:* Later on leads to [[Compliment Backfire]] when he describes Monica's cooking as "abysmal".

*:* Another example in "The One With The Dirty Girl", the titular girl (who is SMOKING hot) agrees to go on a date with [[Hollywood Nerd|'nerdy']] guy Ross, leading to this exchange with ex-girlfriend Rachel:

*:* When Herc gets annoyed that all the local hoppers wear their hats backwards, he leans out his window and sarcastically asks a passing kid where he bought his hat, with the bill on the back of the head. The kid doesn't get it, and explains that it's a normal hat, just turned around. Herc is left speechless.

*:* An addition one featuring [[No Social Skills|Parker]]

**:* After which he begins a paint fight between the two wizards, marking the first time he backs up his words; any other time it was just an empty threat, if a threat at all, which is why it belongs under this page. The end result of the aforementioned fight is all of the deflected paint being splattered on Mr. Laritate, who subsequently praises Alex for her passion and promises to find a new art teacher, and promotes her to Teacher's Deputy. She then walks over to T.J.

*:* Later in the series,when Matt Santos is referred to as a Liberal by conservatives,He delivers a brilliant response which lets Them know that Liberal is something He is proud to be called.

* A variation occuredoccurred in ''[[Two and A Half Men]]''. A running joke is that Charlie often goes makes a meowing sound and then making a whipping motion towards Alan when trying to hint that Alan is a pussy. This eventually backfired during a psychotherapy session after Alan was sleepwalking and trying to make a cake, where he does this to Alan and it resulted in the psychiatrist attending the session to schedule a future appointment with Charlie when she mistakenly interpreted the mocking action by Charlie as a means to communicate his fear of Vaginas.

* ''[http://www.helloween.org/music/lyrics/savage.html "Savage"]'' by ''[[Helloween'']]:

{{quote|''They just call us savage

''That's what I like to be }}

{{quote|''Some people wanna fill the world with silly love songs

''And what's wrong with that?

''I'd like to know

''{{'}}Cos here I go

''Again! }}

{{quote|''Call me a psycho schizo freak...

''and I'll call you by your name! }}

* [[WCW]] was partially undone by what may be the ultimate Insult Backfire. It was their habit during the [[Monday Night Wars]] on ''Nitro'', to reveal the results of [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] matches on air, to prevent people from changing the channel to watch ''[[WWE Raw]]''. In 1999, they revealed that [[Mick Foley]] would win the championship, with an announcer sarcastically claiming "That's gonna put butts in the seats". It did; many viewers switched channels to see it. This compounded the damage done by the [[Finger-Poke of Doom]], which occuredoccurred the same night. WCW never recovered.

* Done rather believably by [[John Cena]] in response to [[CM Punk]] comparing him to the New York Yankees by saying he'd become a dynasty and combined with [[CM Punk]] making fun of Cena for his [[Broken Base]]. Cena replies to this by pointing out that the "Let's go Cena!/Cena Sucks!" chants mean that people are involved in his matches, which, as an entertainer, is his job. He also thanks Punk for the New York Yankees insult because, after giving it some thought, he realized Punk's comment was correct in that the Yankees get a very simularsimilar reaction that he does, which means that they're likewise doing their job. Cena's character has ''always'' embraced his [[Broken Base]]; Punk really should've known better than to call Cena out on that.

*:* And:

* From ''[[Magic: The Gathering|Magic the Gathering]]'', the flavor text for [httphttps://ww2web.wizardsarchive.comorg/gathererweb/CardDetails20190928070359/https://status.aspx?name=Agent%20of%20Maskswizards.com/ Agent of Masks]:

** ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'' has [http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/fx20020925es Khôltar], where dwarves trying to insult the human metalworking settlement nicknamed it "the Place of Pourers and Filers"—inhabitant— the inhabitants didn't see this as an insult and ran with it.

* An indirect example: In Molière's play ''The Miser'', title character Harpagon wants his daughter, Elise to marry a much older man, because he'd take her without dowry. When Harpagon's steward, Valére, who's secretysecretly in love with Elise, hears this, he comments: "When a man offers to marry a girl without a dowry, we ought to look no farther. Everything is comprised in that, and "without dowry" compensates for want of beauty, youth, birth, honour, wisdom, and probity." Harpagon takes it completely seriously.

* ''[[Cyrano De Bergerac]]''.- AtIn Act I Scene IV, Viscount De Valvert calls Cyrano [[Impoverished Patrician]] and [[Writers Suck|poet]]. Given the [[Culture Clash]] between the frenchFrench and the [[Proud Warrior Race Guy|Gascon’s]] [[Martyrdom Culture|mindset,]] Cyrano doesn’t mind at all:

* Peter in the musical ''[[Babes in Arms]]'' does this when he's called a "communist." In fact, he ''is'' a communist.

* A complicated version of this trope appears in ''[[Tales of Symphonia]]'' between {{spoiler|Zelos}} and [[Action Girl|Sheena]], when {{spoiler|Zelos is revealed to have betrayed them all [[Chronic Backstabbing Disorder|to several enemy factions]]}}.

{{quote|'''Sheena:''' I can't believe you! {{spoiler|You were always a pervert, but I never doubted that you were a good person when it came down to it.}}

'''{{spoiler|Zelos:}}''' {{spoiler|Why, thank you, my sweet, voluptuous hunnyhoney.}} }}

*:* Which seems to imply {{spoiler|he's thanking her for calling him a good liar}}.

*:* And:

*:* ''And''

*:** Inspired ''[[Kingdom of Loathing]]''{{'}}s 'Insult Pong'. The player has to match insults against Old Don Rickets, eg:

* In ''[[Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney|Apollo Justice Ace Attorney]]'', the Judge tells {{spoiler|Alita Tiala}} that she is not being a good fiance, she responds that she's flattered.

* Happens many times in ''[[The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police|Sam and Max Freelance Police]]'', concerning Max and his tendency for mass destruction, to put things in perspective: when Max is elected President of the United States, Impeach Max Weekly becomes a regular publication, <s>surprisingly</s> unsurprisingly Max ''enjoys'' reading it.

*:* To make it fair, there's also the mission, "Covered Market" where Blake tells Norman to "fuck off", and how did Norman respond? He smiles it off.

*:** To expand upon this, They had just finished a job confronting a suspect who had looked like he was going to pull a gun on Blake, Norman has a clear shot at him and could have killed him, instead he Hesitated. It turns out to be a cross and they get out fine but Blake is understandably mad that he was willing to let the guy kill him if he did have a gun. Norman's response? He berates him for wanting him to kill the guy and thus leading into the aforementioned "Fuck Off".

* Brian Clevinger was on the receiving end of this when he published the [http://www.nuklearpower.com/2008/12/11/episode-1070-what-were-you-expecting/ "ending"] to ''[[8-Bit Theater|Eight Bit Theater]]''. He subscribes to the philosophy that the funniest jokes are on the audience (thus the bogus [[No Ending]]). He expected a deluge of hate mail for that, but found he was on the receiving end of a tidal wave of ''compliments for writing the ''perfect'' ending to the comic''. Clevinger was very deeply upset by his audience's reaction.

*:* Later...

* In ''[[Drowtales]]'', Asira'malika tells Zala'ess that "[https://web.archive.org/web/20100106054756/http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?sid=5781 you are so like your mother it makes me sick]", but Zala'ess responds with thanks and says that it's an honor to be compared to the Val'Sharess. There are a few things going on here, first Zala'ess [[Ambition Is Evil|aspires to be the head of her clan]] and is more than willing to backstab her own family members to do it, and for extra irony {{spoiler|she killed her mother with her two sisters}}.

* In ''[[Sinfest]]'', [httphttps://wwwweb.archive.org/web/20140209191538/http://sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=1837 Percy says his Yarny is marvelous and Pooch's Bally is so. . . so round]. Pooch? Sniffs and is [[So Proud of You]].

{{quote|'''Bugs:''' He's a mean, vicious, nasty, no-good, baggy-eyed, marble-headed ignoramorousignoramus. He's a stupid... (turning and seeing Taz) Eyee...

*:* It probably wasn't that Bender didn't grasp the concept of complimenting so much that the scene was a parody of [[Testosterone Poisoning]].

*:* Also used by Fry when trying to defend himself and his friends who felt insulted from Leela's new boyfriend dislike of abnormality:

*:* "Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?" is ''chock'' full of these.

**:* That one's a bit of a subversion, as it actually ''was'' intended as a compliment; Fry had advised Zoidberg to tell Edna she looked thin.

*:* Let's not forget when Leela tried to explain to Zapp Brannigan why she slept with him:

*:* During "[[Avatar: The Last Airbender/Recap/Book 3/05 The Beach|The Beach]]", Zuko, Mai, Azula and Ty Lee end up spilling forth all their emotional baggage to one another. Azula chides Ty Lee for having run away to join a circus (even calling her a circus freak). Ty Lee, who is the youngest of six ''identical'' siblings immediately retorts that it was a way of finding her own identity, and that "Circus freak is a ''compliment!"''

**:* Given that she was crying as she said that, it probably hurt her at least a little.

*:* And then there was the lovely little [[Cain and Abel|family reunion]] between Zuko and his baby sister:

*:* Probably the best use of this occurs during the Day of Black Sun invasion. When [[Calling the Old Man Out|Zuko confronts Ozai]], this is part of the exchange:

'''Ozai''': [laughing dismisivelydismissively] Your uncle has gotten to you, hasn't he?

*:* Martin Prince, competing with Bart to become class president, put up a campaign poster with the slogan "A Vote for Bart is a Vote for Anarchy!". Bart of course put up another poster with the same slogan.

*:* Upon seeing Bart in his pajamas, this attempt to capitalize on the situation by Jimbo quite conclusively backfired.

*:* And another between Ned and Homer in "Hurricane Neddy":

*:* And from ''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros 3]]'':

*:* Done again in ''Abra-Catastrophe'', with Timmy's mother calling out on Crocker:

*:* Also:

* Happens on ''[[DuckTales (1987)]]'' after Glomgold previously accused Scrooge of being "too soft":

*:* Also a version where a genuine complement is basically taken as a backfired insult:

*:* From "Other Victories":

*:* And again in the [[Superhero Episode]].

*:* In "Beware the Creeper," the as-yet unnamed Creeper confronts [[The Joker]]'s henchmen:

* When around 250 Dutch nobles presented a list of grievances to the Spanish ruler of the Netherlands, one of her councillorscouncilors expressed surprise that she was worried about "these beggars" (''ces gueux''),<ref>French was the court language across Europe at the time</ref> which became ''geuzen'' in Dutch. Less than a decade later, the ''watergeuzen'' (Water Beggars) had proceeded to seize several key cities in the north, raid several Spanish fleets, and set off a full-scale religious and political rebellion against the Spanish crown that would last eighty years before ending in Dutch independence.

** Amusingly, it was originally an endearing term. Some reporter back at the turn of the 20th century coined this term when describing them because of the red bandanasbandannas they wore on their necks coming to fight in court for their right to form worker unions.

** The source of the term was actually the Nazi broadcaster [[wikipedia:Lord Haw-Haw|Lord Haw-Haw]], mocking the Aussies defences as 'rat holes'. He also named the 'Scrap iron Flotilla', who kept the garissongarrison supplied, in a similar fashion; his success as a propagandist generally left something to be desired.

* In youth the eccentric greekGreek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope was banished from his hometown. He later remarked: "The Sinopans have condemned me to banishment. I condemn them to stay at home!"

* The C++ programming language was widely criticised back in its heyday; critics included Linus Torvalds, the founder of Linux. However, the criticisms levelledleveled at it also ''contributed'' to its widespread use back in the nineties and early 2000s, and Bjarne Stroustrup, the designer of the language, acknowledges it:

* One of the key factors in Dalton [[Mc Guinty]]McGuinty's victory in the 2003 Ontario general election was the backfire from a rather bizarre insult, apparently from his primary opponent's campaign: "evil reptilian kitten-eater from another planet".