scurrility

American  

[skuh-ril-i-tee] / skəˈrɪl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

scurrilities

1. a scurrilous quality or condition.

2. a scurrilous remark or attack.

   Synonyms:

   vulgarity, indecency, invective, vilification, abuse, vituperation

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Etymology

Origin of scurrility

From the Latin word scurrīlitās, dating back to 1500–10. See scurrile, -ity

Explanation

The word scurrility refers to foul or vulgar language that’s meant to insult or offend, like mean-spirited jokes or cruel gossip. Scurrility comes from the Latin word scurrilis, meaning "buffoonish" or "jesting," hinting at the lowbrow nature of scurrilous language. Historically, scurrility was associated with harsh jokes or crude remarks made to entertain at someone else’s expense. Today, this noun is used to describe language or behavior that crosses the line from humor into outright rudeness, often stirring conflict rather than laughter.

Example Sentences

Against his enemies, or his imagined enemies, he was capable, in Ollard's words, of "scurrility verging at times on the hysterical."

From Time Magazine Archive

In a little more than two years, a 25� magazine called Confidential, based on the proposition that millions like to wallow in scurrility, has become the biggest newsstand seller in the U.S.

From Time Magazine Archive

Two newspapers, the Nugget and the Epitaph, blared frontier scurrility at each other.

From Time Magazine Archive

Targets: Soviet sentimentalism, windbaggery on Capitol Hill, the dollar chase in Big Business, journalistic scurrility on a big picture magazine.

From Time Magazine Archive

His power of venting ingenious and fantastic scurrility on these occasions might have rivalled that of Thersites, the “deformed and scurrilous Grecian.”

From By Veldt and Kopje by Scully, W. C. (William Charles)