One of the most beautiful things about the English language is how much ambiguity certain words or phrases might have. Someone can be saying something perfectly nice, like, “Bless your heart,” but actually mean something rude, like “you’re an idiot.”
Prevalent TV writer Lisa McGee recently asked her followers to share the best “sly dig” they’ve ever received, which in American English translates to “backhanded compliment,” or an insult that sounds like a compliment.
What’s the best sly dig you’ve ever received? In my early twenties a guy told me I inspired him to be a writer because he’d seen one of my plays and it was so terrible he thought he definitely could do better. Stunning work.
— Lisa McGee (@LisaMMcGee) April 24, 2020
Here are some sneaky insults people have gotten—some of which they didn’t even clock until hours or days later.
1.
I’ve been tokd numerous times I would be a great girlfriend if I wasn’t so ugly because I have a great personality 🖕
— Emily Savage (@SavageEmily) April 24, 2020
2.
Some older chap I used to work with: “it’s great you’re on telly so much given you know… laughs… no seriously, it’s great. Good for you. Listen, these days, do they have to hit a quota or do they get some extra funding if they have people like you on? Genuine question?”
— Ayesha Hazarika (@ayeshahazarika) April 24, 2020
3.
my daughter said mine made my butt long and wide 😂never wore those pants again
— Trish Holmgren (@fishhomeagain) April 24, 2020
4.
I was told I was so brave for not wearing make up covering scars because ‘I just wouldn’t be able to leave the house if it was my face’. Thanks……?
— Helen Mac Hale (@HelHearts) April 24, 2020
5.
I was told (while not wearing makeup) that I would be a great before and after demo for a makeup party she was hosting. I told her makeup might make my face pretty but nothing fixes her ugly heart.
— Christy YL (@chy2400) April 24, 2020
6.
I was told by a former colleague during a meeting that I’d make an excellent spy because I had absolutely nothing memorable about me.
— BROOME82 (@BROOME82) April 24, 2020
7.
Wrote this and deleted it once already but here goes. As a student actor I worried out loud that I might not be attractive enough to make it as a professional and my friend told me not to worry, there are LOADS of successful ugly actors.
— David Nicholls (@DavidNWriter) April 24, 2020
8.
My maternal grandmother told me that she was sorry I “got my father’s looks” 😭💀
— R, they/them, 🪐🌞 (@_enjorlas) April 24, 2020
9.
I once bumped into the rather posh and very catty mother of an ex-girlfriend, who told me how wonderful it was to see me -‘especially looking so well-fed’.
— Paul Carnahan (@pacarnahan) April 24, 2020
10.
Someone once said to me “be glad you’re not gorgeous like me because it’s more of a curse than a blessing.” 😂🤣
— Lynnie (@atoakhaven) April 24, 2020