10 Latin Curse Words That Would Shock a Roman Matron

Latin, often associated with lofty literature and solemn prayers, also had its share of crude and offensive vocabulary. While many Latin words have shaped modern languages (as seen in our article on Latin words that shaped English), some phrases were strictly for the streets - or the battlefield. Here are ten Latin curse words that would scandalise even a hardened Roman matron.

1. Irrumator

Found in graffiti at Pompeii, this word was not something you’d say in polite company. Roman poets like Catullus used it to attack rivals, proving that literary feuds could get vicious.

2. Verbero

Slaves, thieves, or anyone who crossed a Roman citizen might hear this hurled at them. It carried the weight of physical punishment - a threat as much as an insult.

3. Stultus

Less vulgar than others on this list, it was still sharp enough to provoke anger. Cicero, the famed orator, used it to dismiss opponents in debates.

4. Scelestus

Romans took morality seriously, and calling someone 'scelestus' was akin to branding them a monster. It appears in legal texts and plays alike.

5. Cunno

6. Furcifer

Plautus, a Roman playwright, loved using this word for comic effect - though the targets of the insult probably didn’t find it funny.

7. Landica

Its usage was considered shocking, even by Roman standards. Catullus employed it in his most scathing poems.

8. Moechus

Romans valued marital fidelity (at least publicly), and this insult could ruin reputations. It appears in legal speeches and comedy.

9. Meretrix

While some Roman writers treated sex workers with nuance, this word was typically hurled as an insult.

10. Pedico

Why Learn Latin Insults?

Understanding these words offers a glimpse into Roman society’s less refined corners. While Latin is often studied for its philosophical and legal texts, its vulgar vocabulary reveals everyday life - and conflict - in ancient Rome. For more on untranslatable words, see our guide to untranslatable Portuguese terms.