Need a generic term for "asshat"

I am totally avoiding time, social, and cultural terms that set the tone and time/place something in any period or genera. I've done it mostly, but I can't find away from "don't be an asshat."

Jerk, asshole, dick, lame, boring, stupid, dork, arrogent, prick, nothing seems quite to fit and sum it up so well while being generic as asshat.

I really would love to find an expressive word, that the character saying it is vulgar, without being set in time like that adjective will be eventually.

Elysium said:

I would suggest jagoff. It's Pittsburghese for asshole and it's been used for years but I guess since your character is probably not from Pittsburgh, then they probably can't say it haha.

I think 'jerk' is a good word to use. Don't think anyone's going to stop using it. Or what about 'douche' or 'douchebag'? Really of the words you've listed will work, imo.

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"Wanker" was what I wrote first pass, but then thought to European, and I should go US. Jerk is sorta... not quite descriptive and very dated?

JagOff reminds me of the ZebraHead song, and sorta feels dated to over a decade ago, but maybe it's just me?

'douche' or 'douchebag' is to contempary, generic, and now... well, sort 5 years ago, but not .. just about to be dated?

I'm thinking I need to go with the timeless "wanker" even though it's European, it's timeless. And I think the people I'm writing about are midwestern American's , the timeless nature of the term might be what I need? And might highlight the fact that they have a larger world view?

I just wish American's weren't so trendy at times like this... And had the British sarcasm and wit. Because "asshole" works, but it's to harsh, and not fun enough to e light hearted to work in he insult, unless I go trendy.
'douche' or 'douchebag'

Maybe I should just go with "wanker" and assume my readers will figure it out? My characters are "worldly" and would know it, even if the target audience wouldn't?

I'm thinking I need to go with the timeless "wanker" even though it's European, it's timeless. And I think the people I'm writing about are midwestern American's , the timeless nature of the term might be what I need? And might highlight the fact that they have a larger world view?

I just wish American's weren't so trendy at times like this... And had the British sarcasm and wit. Because "asshole" works, but it's to harsh, and not fun enough to e light hearted to work in he insult, unless I go trendy.
'douche' or 'douchebag'

Maybe I should just go with "wanker" and assume my readers will figure it out? My characters are "worldly" and would know it, even if the target audience wouldn't?

Yea, well you are mostly right missesdash, "fuck" is a timeless vulgarity.

I just wish I had timeless term for douchebag/wanker. I guess I'll just pick one, and hope it works and isn't the thing that dates the story... LOL