Looking for a word to sum up a character...

gophergrrrl · Dec 6, 2008

I'm introducing a character and I'm looking for that one special word that can sum up a sneaky, conniving, cowardly, pompous jerk of a guy. He's one of those guys who grins like a possum while obnoxiously chewing gum, 'counts coup' on the ladies (when he can convince one to sleep with him) and is all in all a lousy waste of human flesh.

Any suggestions?

willfulone · Dec 6, 2008

pig

bastard

dinklewinkie

asshole

createn (not sure on spelling)

toad

prig

misbegotten

spurious

mongrel

cur

Cyia · Dec 6, 2008

Lizard

Weasel

Ferret (or similar small vermin)

Ciera_ · Dec 6, 2008

Ferret? I think somebody around here might take offense! We'll see if he shows up

Slithery
Worm
Maggot
Cockroach
Boor
(It's spelled 'cretin', apparently)
um...
That's all I got.
Good luck!

gophergrrrl · Dec 7, 2008

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys!

Chumplet · Dec 7, 2008

nefarious?

FTL · Dec 9, 2008

Slippery snake in the grass.

Noah Body · Dec 9, 2008

Noah Body.

I mean--asshat!

Kosh · Dec 9, 2008

gophergrrrl said:
I'm introducing a character and I'm looking for that one special word that can sum up a sneaky, conniving, cowardly, pompous jerk of a guy. He's one of those guys who grins like a possum while obnoxiously chewing gum, 'counts coup' on the ladies (when he can convince one to sleep with him) and is all in all a lousy waste of human flesh.

Any suggestions?

That actually sounds like a decent character intro if you're looking for one.

KikiteNeko · Dec 9, 2008

Inlaws...

Brindle Chase · Dec 9, 2008

sounds kind of like a barfly?

writen4u · Dec 10, 2008

How about pretentious?

nmstevens · Dec 10, 2008

I think "weasel" is about the best of the bunch. Something like, "BOB, a grinning little weasel in his twenties, is lounging against the far wall."

NMS

Hillgate · Dec 10, 2008

'Smug' does it for me.

stc · Dec 10, 2008

I always liked the term "dickbird." Or maybe "shitbird."

Shaun M · Dec 10, 2008

smarmy
Pronunciation: \ˈsmär-mē\
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): smarm·i·er; smarm·i·est
Etymology: smarm to gush, slobber
Date: 1924
1 : revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness <a tone of smarmy self-satisfaction — New Yorker>
2 : of low sleazy taste or quality <smarmy eroticism>
— smarm·i·ly \-mə-lē\ adverb
— smarm·i·ness \-mē-nəs\ noun

Joe270 · Dec 10, 2008

Dang it, Shaun beat me to it.

I second 'smarmy'.

Perhaps: Bob, a smarmy boor, stands near the bar. . .

Marie Pacha · Dec 10, 2008

sleaze

Mumbleduck · Dec 10, 2008

Unctious:
Function:
adjective
Etymology:
Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French unctueus, from Medieval Latin unctuosus, from Latin unctus act of anointing, from unguere to anoint
Date:
14th century

1 a: fatty , oily b: smooth and greasy in texture or appearance2: plastic <fine unctuous clay>
3: full of unction ; especially : revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, and false earnestness or spirituality
— unc·tu·ous·ly adverb
— unc·tu·ous·ness noun

I believe it's used in reference to either Professor Snape at one point in the Harry Potter books, or Professor Lockheart in the second book - If you've read the books and are familiar with characters, you'll see why I think it's the perfect word to use!

stc · Dec 10, 2008

Be sure to consider the entire "unctuous" family:

Synonyms: unctuous, fulsome, oily, oleaginous, smarmy
These adjectives mean insincerely, self-servingly, or smugly agreeable or earnest: an unctuous toady; gave the dictator a fulsome introduction; oily praise; oleaginous hypocrisy; smarmy self-importance.

See
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/unctuous

Bluegate · Dec 10, 2008

hmm.. salesman..used car salesman, if you want to get wordy. Of course you could go with the current generation's popular word choice, cheesd*ck. Don't know how that would hold up to posterity though. In respect to slimy losers everywhere they come in a wide variety of styles so I think it would help to understand what kind of sleazball he is as his character progresses. There are just so many ways to be a miserable waste of human flesh.

Bluegate · Dec 10, 2008

Did anybody get despicable yet?

Annushka · Dec 10, 2008

There's a Russian word that is perfect for this spelled хмырь and pronounced "khmyr," basically meaning any repulsive "arrogant sleazeball." This obviously isn't helpful, but I just thought it was interesting that one word in another language can sum up an idea so perfectly while it takes several words to convey the same idea in English.

ricetalks · Dec 10, 2008

Egotistical slimeball.

LaurieD · Dec 10, 2008

He's one of those guys who grins like a possum while obnoxiously chewing gum, 'counts coup' on the ladies (when he can convince one to sleep with him) and is all in all a lousy waste of human flesh

Click to expand...

Kosh said:
That actually sounds like a decent character intro if you're looking for one.

I agree. This is perfect. I have a picture in my head of this guy with this description.

Looking for a word to sum up a character...

Been a while but I've returned...

I am a zebra...

Rewriting My Destiny

Ciera_

Been a while but I've returned...

This hat is getting too hot

Entertainment Ronin

Will Write for Food

.

Dancing on the edge

What happened?

On location

Still a work in progress

Quackin' up.

Clearly has too much time on hand.

Clearly has too much time on hand.

aka Skwirrel