asshole
asshole
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "asshole" in General American English is /ˈæs.hoʊl/.
Here is a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
First syllable: ass (/æs/)
æ: The "ash" or "short a" vowel sound, as in trap or cat.
s: The voiceless "s" sound, as in snake or *pass.
Second syllable: hole (/hoʊl/)
h: The voiceless "h" sound, as in hat or ahead.
oʊ: The long "o" diphthong sound, as in goat or *show. (Note: In British English, this sound is often transcribed as /əʊ/).
l: The "l" sound, as in light or fee**l.
Word Form Variations
The term "asshole" is primarily used as a noun but can also function as an adjective. Here are its various word forms:
Noun Forms
Singular: asshole
Example: "Don't be an asshole."
Plural: assholes
Example: "The stadium was filled with loud assholes."
Singular Possessive: asshole's
Example: "That was the asshole's parking spot he just stole."
Plural Possessive: assholes'
Example: "The group's bad reputation was due to the assholes' behavior."
Adjective Forms
Attributive Adjective: asshole (used to modify a noun)
Example: "That was an asshole move."
Derived Adjective: assholish (meaning "like an asshole")
Example: "He made some very assholish comments."
Abstract Noun Forms
These nouns describe the quality or state of being an asshole.
Common Form: assholery
Example: "I've had enough of your assholery for one day."
Less Common Form: assholedom
Example: "He achieved a new level of assholedom."
The word is not used as a verb in standard English.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
asshole (noun)
A person who consistently acts with selfish, arrogant disregard for the feelings, rights, or convenience of others. Their behavior is typically characterized by a lack of empathy, a sense of entitlement, and an obliviousness or indifference to the negative social impact they create.
Example: "The guy who took up two parking spots during a blizzard is a total asshole."
Synonyms: jerk, schmuck, prick, dick, boor, egomaniac, git (British), cretin, bastard.
Antonyms: mensch, saint, gentleman, lady, good Samaritan, sweetheart, humanitarian.
Adjective
asshole (adjective)
Exhibiting the qualities of an asshole; contemptibly selfish, obnoxious, or inconsiderate. This form is used attributively to describe actions, attitudes, or objects associated with such a person.
Example: "Leaving your trash on the public table for someone else to clean up is an asshole move."
Synonyms: jerky, obnoxious, selfish, inconsiderate, boorish, churlish, contemptible, entitled.
Antonyms: considerate, thoughtful, kind, courteous, civil, altruistic, compassionate, gracious.
Abstract Noun
assholery (noun)
Behavior, actions, or a general disposition characterized by the selfish and entitled conduct of an asshole. It refers to the specific practice or display of such traits.
Example: "His constant interruptions and blatant name-dropping were pure assholery."
Synonyms: jerkiness, obnoxiousness, boorishness, churlishness, incivility, self-absorption, dickishness (informal).
Antonyms: kindness, consideration, courtesy, civility, altruism, grace, compassion, decorum.
Examples of Use
The word "asshole," while profane, is widely used in various media to convey strong feelings of contempt, frustration, or social judgment. Here are several real-world examples from different domains.
In Books
Non-Fiction/Business: Stanford professor Robert I. Sutton wrote a best-selling management book focused entirely on the concept, treating it as a serious workplace problem. The title itself is the most direct usage possible.
The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't
(Robert I. Sutton, 2007)Fiction (Literary): The word is often used in fiction to create realistic, gritty dialogue and to quickly establish a character's negative traits.
“Ackley was a slob in his personal habits, and he was also a nasty guy. I wasn't too crazy about him, to tell you the truth. […] He was one of these very, very tall, round-shouldered guys—he was about six four—with lousy teeth. The whole time he roomed next to me, I never even once saw him brush his teeth. They always looked mossy and awful, and he damn near made you sick if you saw him in the dining room with his mouth full of mashed potatoes and peas. He was a real bastard. On top of that, he was a slob. He was a real asshole, in his own way.”
(J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, 1951)
In Journalism and Online Publications
Newspapers and reputable online sources often avoid the word but will use it when it is essential to a direct quote, particularly in the context of political speech or public sentiment.
A widely circulated photo from a protest in London showed a woman holding a sign with a simple, direct message for the American president: “‘DONALD TRUMP IS AN ASSHOLE’ says a sign at the protest in London.”
(The New York Times, "A Day of Protests, Politics and Pageantry for Trump in London," June 4, 2019)
In Entertainment
Film: The word is a staple in many film genres, used for comedic effect, dramatic emphasis, or to define a character's relationship with another. A classic example comes from the Coen Brothers' cult classic.
The Dude: "Walter, you're not wrong."
Walter Sobchak: "Am I wrong?"
The Dude: "You're not wrong, Walter. You're just an asshole."
(The Big Lebowski, 1998)Music: Artists have used the word for decades in lyrics to express anger, social commentary, or self-deprecation. Comedian Denis Leary's satirical song is perhaps the most famous example.
"I'm an asshole! I'm an asshole! / I'm a real fucking asshole / I'm an A-S-S-H-O-L-E"
(Denis Leary, "Asshole," from the album No Cure for Cancer, 1993)Television (Prestige Drama): In modern television, particularly on cable and streaming services, the term is used frequently to reflect realistic dialogue and intense character dynamics.
Logan Roy: "You’re not a killer. You have to be a killer. But nowadays, maybe you don’t. I don’t know. Okay. But you’re a good guy. You’re a good son. A good man. You’re not an asshole. That’s not a compliment."
(Succession, Season 4, Episode 2, "Rehearsal," 2023)
In General Public Discourse
Social Media / Internet Culture: The term has been integrated into the lexicon of the internet, most notably by the hugely popular subreddit "Am I the Asshole?" (AITA). Here, users present personal conflicts and ask the community to pass judgment on their behavior, using "asshole" as a crowdsourced moral verdict.
"AITA for telling my sister that her 'vision' for my wedding dress doesn't matter?"
(Reddit, r/AmItheAsshole, recurring daily)
10 Famous Quotes Using Asshole
"You don’t have to be an asshole to get ahead. But it sure helps in corporate America." — George Carlin
"Some people are like clouds. When they disappear, it’s a beautiful day. Those are the assholes." — Steve Maraboli
"The world is full of assholes, and they're multiplying — especially when they think they’re the hero." — Anthony Bourdain
"I’m not an asshole. I just have a low tolerance for bullshit." — Robert Downey Jr. (paraphrased from interviews)
"Being honest doesn’t make you an asshole. Being an asshole while you’re honest does." — Brené Brown (paraphrased from talks on vulnerability)
"You can’t fix an asshole, but you can learn to walk away from one." — Elizabeth Gilbert
"Assholes always think they're the victim." — Trevor Noah (paraphrased from stand-up and memoir)
"There's an asshole in every room. If you can’t spot them in five minutes, it’s probably you." — Old poker saying / business maxim
"I used to be a people-pleaser — until I realized some people are just assholes." — Lizzo (paraphrased from interviews)
"Don’t be an asshole. It’s really that simple." — Barack Obama (adapted from a well-known internal staff motto during his presidency)
Etymology
The story of "asshole" is really the story of two different words named "ass" that, over centuries, ended up sounding the same.
1. The Two Meanings of "Ass"
First, you have the word ass meaning "donkey," which has been in English for over a thousand years. It comes from the Latin word for the animal, asinus. This is the older, more "polite" version of the word.
Second, you have the word arse, which is the old English and Germanic word for the buttocks or rear end. For centuries, this word was just a standard anatomical term, not necessarily an insult. In many British and American accents, the 'r' sound in "arse" eventually softened and disappeared, making it sound exactly like "ass." This is why in American English, the word for donkey and the word for your backside are identical.
2. From Anatomy to Insult
The word "asshole" is a simple compound of these words: the "hole" of the "arse." For a very long time, it was just a crude, but purely anatomical, term for the anus.
The big change happened in the 20th century. The first known use of "asshole" as an insult for a person—not a body part—appeared in the 1930s, specifically in American military slang. Soldiers started using it metaphorically to describe a contemptible, worthless, or despicable person. The logic is straightforward: they were calling someone the most vulgar and unpleasant part of the human body.
From military slang, the term exploded into mainstream use after World War II, especially through novels and films that wanted to capture realistic, gritty dialogue. By the 1960s and 70s, it had become one of the most common and potent insults in American English.
So, in short: an old anatomical term for the anus, "arse-hole," was supercharged into a powerful insult by American soldiers in the 1930s and has been a staple of our vocabulary ever since.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Asshole
Common Descriptive Phrases & Commands
These are not true idioms but are extremely common, fixed ways the word is used.
Don't be an asshole.
Meaning: A direct command or plea for someone to stop acting in a selfish, cruel, or obnoxious manner.
What an asshole!
Meaning: A common exclamation of frustration or contempt in reaction to someone's negative behavior.
A total/complete/certified asshole.
Meaning: An emphatic phrase used to state that someone isn't just situationally unpleasant, but fundamentally is a contemptible person.
Lucky asshole.
Meaning: A phrase used, often with grudging admiration or jealousy, to describe someone who has just experienced a stroke of good fortune that they seem not to have earned.
Rare Idiomatic or Figurative Uses
These are closer to true idioms but are not universally known.
To be all elbows and assholes.
Meaning: To be extremely clumsy, uncoordinated, or moving awkwardly through a space, bumping into people and things. It creates a chaotic image of flailing limbs and body parts.
Example: "Trying to get through the crowded subway car, I was all elbows and assholes."
Idioms with Synonyms for a Similar Effect
Because "asshole" itself rarely forms idioms, we often use idioms with synonyms (like "jerk" or "prick") or related concepts (like "ass" or "pain") to convey a similar meaning.
A pain in the ass.
Meaning: Someone or something that is extremely annoying, troublesome, or inconvenient. This captures the irritation aspect of dealing with an asshole.
Doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.
Meaning: A classic idiom describing someone who is exceptionally stupid, ignorant, or inept. While not about malice, it conveys total incompetence.
To jerk someone around.
Meaning: To waste someone's time, mislead them, or treat them disrespectfully. "Jerk" is a direct synonym for "asshole," and this idiom describes a classic "asshole move."
He's a real piece of work.
Meaning: A common, slightly less vulgar idiom for a person who is difficult, unpleasant, or has a deeply flawed character. It's often said with a shake of the head.
Thinks his shit don't stink.
Meaning: Describes someone who is arrogant, entitled, and has an inflated sense of self-importance. This perfectly captures the egotistical side of an asshole's personality.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of asshole from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
