son of a bitch

• son-of-a-bitch, sonofabitch, sonovabitch, sonuvabitch, son of bitch, sumbitch

Alteration of an earlier phrase represented by Middle English biche-sone (“son of a bitch”, literally “bitch's son”), calqued from Old Norse bikkju-sonr (“son of a bitch”).

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son of a bitch (plural sons of bitches or sons of a bitch)

1. (derogatory or offensive, slang, vulgar, usually referring specifically to a man, chiefly US, Canada) An objectionable, despicable person.

   My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son of a bitch.

   You twisted son of a bitch! You're going to torture somebody!

   You’re one fury son of a bitch.

   Those sons of bitches don’t stand a chance.

   • 1685, John Eachard, The grounds & occasions of the contempt of the clergy and religion enquired into, 9th edition, London, page 252:

     There's that snarling cur, and son of a Bitch Boccaline.

   • 1691, Thomas Shadwell, The Humorists, a Comedy, London, page 22:

     He had the insolence obliquely to give me the name of Son of a Bitch.

   • 1703, Thomas Brown, Letters from the living to the living, relating to the present transactions both Publick and Private, page 105:

     […] Count Davia, like a Son of a Bitch as he is, Chop'd upon mine and the Duke of Mantuu's Equipage, and rubb'd off with our Plate, Jewels, and other Knicknacks of Inestimable Value.

   • 1969, Shel Silverstein (lyrics and music), “A Boy Named Sue”, performed by Johnny Cash:

     But ya ought to thank me, before I die / For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye / Because I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you Sue

2. (derogatory or offensive, slang, vulgar, chiefly US, Canada) Any objectionable thing.

   "This son of a bitch won't move!" Marty exclaimed as he grappled with the supermarket cart.

   Get that son of a bitch generator started before it will get issues!

   Lift garage door open this son of a bitch before it gets closed!

   Push this son of a bitch buggy to the trailer.

3. (vulgar, slang, humorous or endearing) An impressive, daring, or admirable man.
   • 2022, Angelo Indelicato, The Tales of a Templar Knight:

     I quickly checked around and I found Simon, he was hit but landed on a dead horse, the lucky son of a bitch could have been dead but the animal absorbed his fall and now he was on the ground trying to stay alive.

4. (often preceded by "poor") A suffering person deemed deserving of compassion.

   That poor son of a bitch didn't even make it.

   These poor sons of bitches engaged in a gunfight until they're all dead.

• cyka blyat (Internet slang)
• son of a bachelor
• son of a duck
• son of a fuck
• son of a gun
• son of a sea-cook
• son of a whore
• SOB, SOAB

• sonofabitch stew
• I'll be a son of a bitch
• sonofabitching
• son-of-a-bitching

son of a bitch

1. (slang, vulgar) Used to express anger, contempt, astonishment, disappointment, dismay, etc.

   Synonyms: motherfucker, oh my God, Jesus Christ

   Argh! Son of a bitch! I had just cut my arm.

• son of a
• son of a whore