Cowards, often depicted as lacking courage or bravery, have been a topic of discussion across various cultures and mediums. Curious about the slang terms used to describe them in modern times? Look no further as we’ve compiled a list of the top slang for coward that will shed light on how these individuals are portrayed in contemporary language. So buckle up and get ready to explore this intriguing aspect of modern vernacular!
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1. Jellyfish
This term is used to describe someone who lacks courage or is easily intimidated. It compares the person to a jellyfish, which is known for its lack of a backbone and passive nature.
- For example, “He’s such a jellyfish, he always backs down from confrontations.”
- In a discussion about bravery, someone might say, “Don’t be a jellyfish, stand up for what you believe in.”
- A person might use this term to insult someone, saying, “You’re nothing but a jellyfish, afraid of your own shadow.”
2. Pansy
This term is often used to describe someone who is perceived as weak or lacking in courage. It compares the person to a delicate flower, suggesting fragility and a lack of toughness.
- For instance, “He’s too much of a pansy to try anything risky.”
- In a conversation about bravery, someone might mockingly say, “Are you too much of a pansy to take on a challenge?”
- A person might use this term to insult someone, saying, “Stop being such a pansy and face your fears.”
3. Snowflake
This term is used to describe someone who is easily offended or emotionally fragile. It implies that the person is delicate and unique, like a snowflake, and cannot handle criticism or difficult situations.
- For example, “He’s such a snowflake, he gets upset over the smallest things.”
- In a discussion about resilience, someone might say, “Don’t be a snowflake, learn to toughen up.”
- A person might use this term to insult someone, saying, “You’re just a special little snowflake, can’t handle the real world.”
4. Sissy
This term is used to describe someone who is perceived as cowardly or lacking in bravery. It is often used to belittle or insult someone for not being tough or masculine enough.
- For instance, “He’s too much of a sissy to stand up for himself.”
- In a conversation about courage, someone might say, “Don’t be a sissy, face your fears head-on.”
- A person might use this term to insult someone, saying, “You’re just a sissy, afraid of your own shadow.”
5. Lame duck
This term is used to describe someone who is perceived as weak or ineffective in their actions or decisions. It originated from politics, referring to a politician who is nearing the end of their term and has limited power or influence.
- For example, “He’s such a lame duck, he can’t get anything done.”
- In a discussion about leadership, someone might say, “We need someone strong, not a lame duck.”
- A person might use this term to insult someone, saying, “You’re just a lame duck, unable to make a difference.”
6. Pusillanimous
This word is used to describe someone who lacks courage or is easily frightened. It is often used in a formal or literary context.
- For example, “He was too pusillanimous to confront his bullies.”
- In a discussion about leadership, someone might say, “A pusillanimous leader cannot inspire their team.”
- Another might describe a character in a book as “a pusillanimous villain.”
7. Fraidy-cat
This slang term is used to describe a person who is easily frightened or lacks bravery. It is often used in a playful or teasing manner.
- For instance, “Don’t be such a fraidy-cat, it’s just a spider.”
- In a group of friends planning an adventure, someone might say, “Let’s not invite Mike, he’s a total fraidy-cat.”
- Another might playfully taunt, “Fraidy-cat, fraidy-cat, scaredy-pants!”
8. Milksop
This term refers to someone who is considered weak or lacking in courage. It is often used in a derogatory manner.
- For example, “He’s such a milksop, he never stands up for himself.”
- In a discussion about sports, someone might criticize a player by saying, “They played like a milksop.”
- Another might use the term to describe a character in a movie, “The protagonist starts off as a milksop but eventually finds their bravery.”
9. Yellow-streak
This phrase is used to describe someone who is seen as a coward. It refers to a yellow streak running down their back, symbolizing their lack of bravery.
- For instance, “He showed his yellow-streak by running away from the fight.”
- In a discussion about bravery, someone might say, “I would never want to have a yellow-streak.”
- Another might use the term in a metaphorical sense, “She’s got a yellow-streak when it comes to taking risks.”
10. Chicken-hearted
This term is used to describe someone who is easily frightened or lacks bravery. It is often used in a slightly humorous or lighthearted manner.
- For example, “He’s too chicken-hearted to try anything new.”
- In a discussion about facing fears, someone might say, “Don’t be chicken-hearted, you can do it!”
- Another might playfully tease, “Chicken-hearted, chicken-hearted, scaredy-chicken!”
11. Yellow
This term is used to describe someone who is easily frightened or lacks courage. It can also imply that the person is weak or lacking in bravery.
- For example, “Don’t be such a yellow and stand up for yourself.”
- In a sports context, someone might say, “He chickened out of the game at the last minute. What a yellow!”
- Another usage might be, “She’s too yellow to confront her fears and try something new.”
12. Limp-wristed
This term is a derogatory slang used to describe someone who is perceived as weak, effeminate, or lacking in strength or resolve. It is often used to question a person’s masculinity.
- For instance, “He’s too limp-wristed to stand up to his bullies.”
- In a heated argument, someone might say, “Stop acting limp-wristed and defend your position.”
- Another usage might be, “She’s always seeking validation and approval, acting all limp-wristed.”
13. Yellow-bellied varmint
This term is a colorful way of calling someone a coward. It combines “yellow-bellied,” meaning cowardly, with “varmint,” a term for a troublesome or annoying animal.
- For example, “Get out of here, you yellow-bellied varmint!”
- In a Western movie, a cowboy might say, “I ain’t afraid of no yellow-bellied varmint.”
- Another usage might be, “Don’t let that yellow-bellied varmint intimidate you. Stand your ground!”
14. Crybaby
This term is used to describe someone who frequently cries or complains, especially in a way that is seen as weak or annoying. It implies that the person is overly sensitive or easily upset.
- For instance, “Stop being such a crybaby and toughen up.”
- In a situation where someone is overreacting, someone might say, “Don’t be a crybaby. It’s not that big of a deal.”
- Another usage might be, “He always plays the victim and acts like a crybaby.”
15. Yellow-bellied
This term describes someone who is easily frightened or lacks courage. It is derived from the idea that a coward’s belly turns yellow due to fear.
- For example, “He’s too yellow-bellied to confront his fears.”
- In a dangerous situation, someone might say, “Don’t be yellow-bellied. We need to face this together.”
- Another usage might be, “She’s too yellow-bellied to take risks and step out of her comfort zone.”
16. Yellow-livered
This term is used to describe someone who lacks courage or is easily frightened. It refers to the color yellow, which is associated with fear or cowardice.
- For example, “Don’t be such a yellow-livered chicken and face your fears!”
- In a confrontation, one might say, “He ran away like a yellow-livered coward.”
- A person might mockingly comment, “Look at that yellow-livered scaredy-cat, hiding in the corner.”
17. Cowardly custard
This phrase is a playful way to describe someone who is easily scared or lacks bravery. It combines the word “cowardly” with the term “custard,” which is a soft and easily manipulated substance.
- For instance, “He’s nothing but a cowardly custard, always avoiding any kind of conflict.”
- In a teasing manner, one might say, “Don’t be such a cowardly custard, face your fears!”
- A person might comment, “I can’t believe he turned into a cowardly custard when things got tough.”
18. Scaredy-pants
This slang term is used to describe someone who is easily scared or fearful. It combines the word “scaredy,” which is a colloquial way of saying scared, with “pants” to create a playful insult.
- For example, “He’s such a scaredy-pants, always running away from any kind of danger.”
- In a joking manner, one might say, “Don’t be a scaredy-pants, it’s just a little spider!”
- A person might mockingly comment, “Look at that scaredy-pants, jumping at every little noise.”
19. Pantywaist
This term is used to describe someone who is weak or lacking in courage. It combines the word “panty,” which refers to underwear typically associated with women, with “waist” to create a derogatory insult.
- For instance, “He’s nothing but a pantywaist, always backing down from any kind of challenge.”
- In a mocking tone, one might say, “Don’t be such a pantywaist, stand up for yourself!”
- A person might comment, “He’s acting like a pantywaist, afraid to take any risks.”
20. Yellow streak
This phrase refers to someone who displays a cowardly nature or is easily frightened. It alludes to a visual representation of fear as a yellow streak running down a person’s back.
- For example, “He’s got a yellow streak a mile wide, always avoiding any kind of confrontation.”
- In a critical tone, one might say, “Don’t show your yellow streak, stand up for yourself!”
- A person might comment, “I can’t believe his yellow streak, always running away from any kind of challenge.”
21. Jelly-belly
This term is used to describe someone who lacks courage or is easily frightened. “Jelly-belly” implies that the person’s fear has made them weak or soft.
- For example, someone might say, “Don’t be such a jelly-belly, stand up for yourself!”
- In a sports context, a coach might criticize a player by saying, “You played like a jelly-belly out there.”
- A group of friends might tease each other by joking, “Don’t let the jelly-belly be the one to handle the scary movie tonight.”
22. Gutless wonder
This phrase is used to describe someone who lacks courage or is afraid to take risks. “Gutless wonder” suggests that the person’s lack of bravery is so extreme that it’s almost unbelievable.
- For instance, a person might say, “He’s a gutless wonder, he never stands up for what he believes in.”
- In a political discussion, someone might criticize a politician by saying, “That gutless wonder is too afraid to take a stand on important issues.”
- A friend might complain about a person’s lack of adventurousness by saying, “I can’t believe she wouldn’t go skydiving, what a gutless wonder.”