It comes as a bit of a shock when you realize that those idealized citizens of Ancient Greece and the Golden Age, who laid the philosophical foundations of the West and delved into innovative ideas, were incredibly foul-mouthed, vulgar, and cynical in their arguments. Yes, the Ancient Greeks swore, too.
Marios Veretta’s book, “”The Dirty Words of the Ancient Greeks", with the aim of compiling a collection of swear words from ancient literature and for educational purposes.
The works of Aristophanes, as well as those of other comedians, are the best source for exploring the slang of the time and the way people swore in Ancient Greece.
However, in one of the most scathing remarks the philosopher ever made, he urges poets not to be ridiculed «like bakers» wives”—that is, like female bakers: from that time on, such insults were considered disgraceful for whoever expressed them, even if, as it seems, they were extremely widespread. In any case, one thing is certain: the ancient Greeks swore. A lot.
Here are some of the ancient insults recorded in M. Veretta’s book, as well as in other sources available online:
ABROVATIS: The first component is the adjective *avros* (tender), and the word refers to a effeminate man—one who walks in a feminine manner
ANASEISIPHALLOS: The first component is the verb *anaseio* (to shake), and the word refers to a lustful woman who grasps and shakes the phallus.
SEE: I stink, I'm lost
GLOTTODEPSE: I give massages with my tongue
GOGGYLI: It translates as "round" and refers to the chest
WOMAN'S NIPPLE: The second component is the verb *opipteuo* (to watch), and the word refers to a bath attendant
ROAD: The streetwalker
EKFAULOS: Disgraced
GRILL: It comes from the verb *ischo* (to block), and the word refers to the vulva
EYPYGOS: A woman with a shapely behind
KASSORIS: It comes from the word *kasis* (brother, partner), and the word refers to a prostitute
MANURE: Nobody
MYZOURIS: It is derived from the verb *myzāo* (to suck) and the noun *oura* (penis), referring to a woman who performs the corresponding act
ETHICAL DILEMMA: A cunning man
POST: The skin surrounding the penis
POST: A man who has a large foreskin, and therefore a large penis
PLEASURE LIBRARY: The vulva
KINOURIS: A person who walks around flaunting his tail (i.e., his penis)
LEXRIOS: The Lechrite
LYDIA: The high-class prostitute.
LOCHMI: It translates as "bush" and refers to the pubic hair
ROPOPERPERITHRAS: It comes from the words “ropos” (cheap thing) and “perperos” (chatter), referring to someone who talks a lot of nonsense
SKORAMIS: Con artist
SPODIRILAURA: It comes from the words *spoudi* (hastily) and *laura* (excrement), referring to a person who eats feces
CHALKIDITIS: The woman who sells herself for a bronze coin, the cheap prostitute
