son of a bitch

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search
See also: sonofabitch and son-of-a-bitch

English

[edit]

Alternative forms

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Alteration of an earlier phrase represented by Middle English biche-sone (“son of a bitch”, literally “bitch's son”), calqued from Old Norse bikkju-sonr (“son of a bitch”).

Pronunciation

[edit]

Noun

[edit]

son of a bitch (plural sons of bitches or sons of a bitch)

  1. (derogatory or offensive, slang, vulgar, usually referring specifically to a man, chiefly US, Canada) An objectionable, despicable person.
    My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son of a bitch.
    You twisted son of a bitch! You're going to torture somebody!
    Your one fury son of a bitch.
    Those sons of bitches don’t stand a chance.
    • 1685, John Eachard, The grounds & occasions of the contempt of the clergy and religion enquired into, 9th edition, London, page 252:
      There's that snarling cur, and son of a Bitch Boccaline.
    • 1691, Thomas Shadwell, The Humorists, a Comedy, London, page 22:
      He had the insolence obliquely to give me the name of Son of a Bitch.
    • 1703, Thomas Brown, Letters from the living to the living, relating to the present transactions both Publick and Private, page 105:
      […] Count Davia, like a Son of a Bitch as he is, Chop'd upon mine and the Duke of Mantuu's Equipage, and rubb'd off with our Plate, Jewels, and other Knicknacks of Inestimable Value.
    • 1969, Shel Silverstein (lyrics and music), “A Boy Named Sue”, performed by Johnny Cash:
      But ya ought to thank me, before I die / For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye / Because I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you Sue
  2. (derogatory or offensive, slang, vulgar, chiefly US, Canada) Any objectionable thing.
    "This son of a bitch won't move!" Marty exclaimed as he grappled with the supermarket cart.
    Get that son of a bitch generator started before it will get issues!
    Lift garage door open this son of a bitch before it gets closed!
    Push this son of a bitch buggy to the trailer.
  3. (vulgar, slang, humorous or endearing) An impressive, daring, or admirable man.
    • 2022, Angelo Indelicato, The Tales of a Templar Knight:
      I quickly checked around and I found Simon, he was hit but landed on a dead horse, the lucky son of a bitch could have been dead but the animal absorbed his fall and now he was on the ground trying to stay alive.
  4. (often preceded by "poor") A suffering person deemed deserving of compassion.
    That poor son of a bitch didn't even make it.
    These poor sons of bitches engaged in a gunfight until they're all dead.

Synonyms

[edit]

Derived terms

[edit]

Translations

[edit]

Interjection

[edit]

son of a bitch

  1. (slang, vulgar) Used to express anger, contempt, astonishment, disappointment, dismay, etc.
    Synonyms: motherfucker, oh my God, Jesus Christ
    Argh! Son of a bitch! I had just cut my arm.

Translations

[edit]

See also

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=son_of_a_bitch&oldid=82623322"