Offend versus insult

Question

Do you see a differencce between offend and insult.

Even though the dictionaries I've looked in doesn't seem to support one, or the one I see, I still see it.
I'm looking for any distinctions you feel, and I'll ask about mine in the next post. I hope you don't mind this.
If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Do you see a differencce between offend and insult. Even though the dictionaries I've looked in doesn't seem to support ... for any distinctions you feel, and I'll ask about mine in the next post. I hope you don't mind this.[/nq]
I certainly see a difference. If I offend you, there's a very good chance that I have done so unintentionally and because I am not sensitive to some aspect that defines you. If I insult you, it's almost certain that I have done so deliberately.
The difference is most often intent.

Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Do you see a differencce between offend and insult. Even though the dictionaries I've looked in doesn't seem to support ... for any distinctions you feel, and I'll ask about mine in the next post. I hope you don't mind this.[/nq]
The American heritage Dictionary

certainly makes a distinction.
OFFEND

1. To cause displeasure, anger, resentment, or wounded feelings in.
2. To be displeasing or disagreeable to: Onions offend my sense of smell.
3.a. To transgress; violate: offend all laws of humanity. b. To cause to sin.
v.intr.

1. To result in displeasure: Bad manners may offend.
2.a. To violate a moral or divine law; sin.
b. To violate a rule or law: offended against the curfew.
INSULT:
a. To treat with gross insensitivity, insolence, or contemptuous rudeness. See Synonyms at offend.
b. To affront or demean: an absurd speech that insulted the intelligence of the audience.
2. Obsolete To make an attack on.

v.intr. Archaic

1. To behave arrogantly.
2. To give offense; offend: a speech that was intended to insult.
So does Merriam Webster

OFFEND:
intransitive verb

1 a: to transgress the moral or divine law : sin b: to violate a law or rule : do wrong
2 a: to cause difficulty, discomfort, or injury
b: to cause dislike, anger, or vexation
transitive verb

1 a: violate, transgressb: to cause pain to : hurt
2obsolete : to cause to sin or fall
3: to cause to feel vexation or resentment usually by violation of what is proper or fitting

INSULT:
intransitive verb
archaic : to behave with pride or arrogance : vaunt

transitive verb:
to treat with insolence, indignity, or contempt : affront; also : to affect offensively or damagingly

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Do you see a differencce between offend and insult. Even though the dictionaries I've looked in doesn't seem to support ... for any distinctions you feel, and I'll ask about mine in the next post. I hope you don't mind this.[/nq]
There's a detailed synonymy at
:

synonyms offend, outrage, affront, insult mean to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment. offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting . outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings . affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy . insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame .
I don't see anything in there with which I disagree, so I guess what it says is how I feel.

Bob Lieblich
The Lexocigrapher's Friend

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Do you see a differencce between offend and insult.[/nq]
Thanks to Robert and Barbara and you for your answers.
[nq:2]Even though the dictionaries I've looked in doesn't seem to support one, or the one I see, I still see it.[/nq]
I don't remember what dictionaries they were and it's been 6 months to a year or more, but one ones Barbara found were certainly not the same.
[nq:2]I'm looking for any distinctions you feel, and I'll ask about mine in the next post. I hope you don't mind this.[/nq]
[nq:1]I certainly see a difference. If I offend you, there's a very good chance that I have done so unintentionally and because I am not sensitive to some aspect that defines you.[/nq]
This seems fairly close to what I had in mind. If someone offends unintentionally, and without malice, it may be because for example, before he knows it, he's commente on the other party's body odor, for example, which he woudl only do if the other really had body odor.
[nq:1]If I insult you, it's almost certain that I have done so deliberately.[/nq]
If it is done deliberately, the insult might more likely have no basis in truth. People will strive mightily to come up with insults of people they don't like.
[nq:1]The difference is most often intent.[/nq]
So when I think there is no truth, I refer to the words as insulting, and not offensive, in order not to give the impression to some that I acknowledge there is any truth.
If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]So when I think there is no truth, I refer to the words as insulting, and not offensive, in order not to give the impression to some that I acknowledge there is any truth.[/nq]
In another newsgroup, in today's reading, a poster referred a "mongoloid" who was very good at mathematics. (He was thinking of the autistic-savant brother in "Rain Man")
That's a term that walks a thin line between offensive and insulting. If the person doesn't know that "mongoloid" is a no-longer-used term for a person with Down Syndrome (UK: Down's Syndrome), it is merely offensive. It could be perceived as insulting by some because you should know the term is no longer used, and because it brings in physical appearance to a medical affliction.
In regard to your comment that insults are not likely to have a basis in truth, I disagree. "You stink to high heaven" is an insult that is truthful - even if hyperbole - to your body odor example. Comments on appearance, including weight, can be insulting but based in truth. "You fat slob" is insulting, but can be based in truth.

Insults to intellect seem to go further with hyperbole and further from truth. "You're illiterate" is more than hyperbole; it is untruthful.

Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Thanks to Robert and Barbara and you for your answers. ... impression to some that I acknowledge there is any truth.[/nq]
Well, I generally hate top posting but maybe what I should have said here, is that when I think the remark was made deliberately to be insulting, I call it insulting, rather than call it offensive which you had said might well be unintentional.
I'll have to think about this, and will probalby have to wait unitl I or someone I can relate to gets insulted.

Thanks.
[nq:1]In another newsgroup, in today's reading, a poster referred a "mongoloid" who was very good at mathematics. (He was thinking ... intellect seem to go further with hyperbole and further from truth. "You're illiterate" is more than hyperbole; it is untruthful.[/nq]
If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Do you see a differencce between offend and insult. Even though the dictionaries I've looked in doesn't seem to support ... for any distinctions you feel, and I'll ask about mine in the next post. I hope you don't mind this.[/nq]
I'd make the distinction this way:
"Offend" carries with it a clear indication of provoking displeasure in the object whereas "insult" defines the action of the subject, regardless of how the object takes it. The object may not even be aware of being insulted.

Usenet · Answer

@news.albasani.net:
[nq:2]Do you see a differencce between offend and insult. Even ... in the next post. I hope you don't mind this.[/nq]
[nq:1]I'd make the distinction this way: "Offend" carries with it a clear indication of provoking displeasure in the object whereas "insult" defines the action of the subject, regardless of how the object takes it. The object may not even be aware of being insulted.[/nq]
Insult is more comprehensive than offend: I can find something offensive without also considering it insulting, but if I find something insulting it's invariably also offensive.
Also, offend is less personal than insult. I can be offended by something just on general principles, even though there is no connection to me. For me to be insulted by it, it has to relate to me directly, somehow.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Do you see a differencce between offend and insult. Even though the dictionaries I've looked in doesn't seem to support ... post. =A0I hope you don't mind this. If you are inclined to email me for some reason, remove NOPSAM =A0:-)[/nq]
As an occasional reader I would like to add my tuppenceworth.

IMHO the difference is causative-resultative
Offend is a result. Insult is a cause
An insult may be issued but offence not taken

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Do you see a differencce between offend and insult. Even ... and I'll ask about mine in the next post. [/nq]
[nq:1]As an occasional reader I would like to add my tuppenceworth. IMHO the difference is causative-resultative Offend is a result. Insult is a cause An insult may be issued but offence not taken[/nq]
Now that's exactly the way I feel. That's why I'm willing to admit being insulted but often not willing to admit being offended.

Enough posters voting in the affirmative, I will continue as I have been.
If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)

Offend versus insult

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