History Main / StealthInsult

-->'''[[VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney Phoenix Wright]]''': Now doctor, I'm sure you are an intelligent and honest man.\\
'''[[VisualNovel/ApolloJusticeAceAttorney Klavier Gavin]]''': Thank you. If I weren't [[WillNotTellALie under oath]], I'd return the compliment.

* Zigzagged in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987'', where Shredder tells Rocksteady and Beebop that his new robotic attack drone is named after them; he calls it "the Knucklehead".

** In "The Foghorn Leghorn Story", Bugs and Sam discover a vase inside a hole dug by Taz, and Sam repeatedly struggles to figure out what to do with the vase despite Bugs's advice.
--->'''Yosemite Sam:''' Are you trying to make me look like a fool?\\
'''Bugs Bunny:''' You don't need me to make you look like a fool.\\
'''Yosemite Sam:''' You're darn right I don't!
** In "Mrs. Porkbunny's", Daffy is trying to land a role in a commercial as an actor, and first auditions for a commercial about Mighty Wheats. He hates the taste, but utters the line anyway despite complaining about it only seconds earlier. Later at Pizzarriba, Daffy boasts that they thought his audition was, in their words, "unlike anything they've ever seen".

* This infamously happened to ''Film/{{Morbius}}'' where, rather than insult the movie, people dubbed themselves to be "Morbheads" and began praising made-up parts that weren't even in the movie like the now {{memetic|mutation}} "[[Franchise/PowerRangers IT'S MORBIN' TIME!]]", claiming it made "one morbillion dollars", photoshopping Website/RottenTomatoes to claim it got a 203% critical / 142% audience score, and claiming Creator/MartinScorsese had called it "the truest height of cinema that not even he can top", and claiming the reason it was such a BoxOfficeBomb was "everyone was too busy that weekend to see it", and creating fake news articles to talk about the sequel that "was already greenlit." Even ''Creator/JaredLeto'', the star of the movie, got in on it by reading a fake sequel script on Twitter.

The ''Pueblo'''s captain, Commander Lloyd Bucher, was tortured by the North Korean forces, who eventually succeeded in forcing him to confess. However, to quote Website/TheOtherWiki, '' 'none of the Koreans knew enough English to write a confession, so they had Bucher write it himself. They verified the meaning of his words but failed to catch the pun when he said "We paean (paean meaning a fervent expression of joy or praise) the DPRK. We paean the Korean people. We paean their great leader Kim Il Sung".' '' Another quote from the confession: "[We] beseech the Korean people to forgive our dastardly deeds unmatched since Attila."

* Not long after the Tiananmen Square protests, someone wrote a poem that, on the face of it, seemed to praise the Chinese government. It was even featured in the People's Daily. Not long after, it was discovered that if you took the characters going diagonally, it read "[Prime Minister] Li Peng must resign to appease the anger of the people."

* A more tragic one: After Nicole Simpson's death (her spouse O.J. Simpson was tried for her murder, and was acquitted), her sister opened a charity in her name to prevent domestic abuse.

* After the 2016 US election resulted in Michael Pence becoming Vice President, a flurry of controversy erupted due to his history of supporting [[CureYourGays conversion therapy]]. A few weeks after the election, [[http://www.wkbw.com/news/law-introduced-to-ban-conversion-therapy-in-erie-county Erie County introduced a bill]] to ban conversion therapy, named "[[FunWithAcronyms Prevention of Emotional Neglect and Childhood Endangerment"]].

* If you're in one of the Disney Parks, and the Cast Member you were just working with calls you a "Treasured Guest" or tells you to "Have a magical day" or "Have a Disney day", they were insulting you in the only way they can while keeping their job, since they reserve it for difficult or rude customers.

** Saying that the main problem with the system is BIOS. [[FunWithAcronyms As in, Blind Idiot Operating the System]]. This one's actually got some potential to confuse other IT people, since BIOS is also a legitimate technical term[[labelnote:*]]Basic Input[=/=]Output System, if you were wondering[[/labelnote]], referring to the firmware on most [=PCs=]; if there's a problem with your actual BIOS, you're ''really'' in trouble. That being said, the BIOS has mostly been phased out in favor of its successor, UEFI[[labelnote:*]]Unified Extensible Firmware Interface[[/labelnote]], so the snarky definition is becoming less risky.

** Referring to an ID-10-T error code.

** Referring to a PICNIC type issue: Problem In Customer, Not In Computer.
* There is a picture of UsefulNotes/HillaryRodhamClinton shaking hands with a soldier while the soldier is flashing a downwards peace sign with his other hand. This hand gesture means "I am doing this against my will."

* Before the 2010 [[UsefulNotes/TheWorldCup World Cup]], a network analyst stated: "You can't underestimate the USA's chances against England!"

* In a February 2011 interview on Creator/AlJazeera, a spokesman for the Libyan government was [[BlatantLies telling the reporters what was really happening in Libya]] so poorly that off-screen crew members could be heard laughing at the absurdity of his claims. The two reporters conducting the interview kept their composure despite the hilariously incompetent attempts to deny, spin, fold and mutilate the truth, and at the end of the interview one, with an absolutely deadpan expression, thanked the spokesman and said that he was a perfect representative of the Libyan government.

* Argentinian former-president ''Carlos Menem'' was loved during his time as president, but hated afterwards due to all the corruption he was linked to. In some sort of way, think of him as Argentina's UsefulNotes/RichardNixon. In 2011 he went to vote, and the guy who was supposed to receive him made a gesture that's popularly believed to protect you from jinx (which is touching your left testicle). [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qJnenyRW8wg/TkkjeE2f0FI/AAAAAAAAAgg/41D3RZqfiow/s320/menem+vota.jpg See it yourself.]]

* [[RussianHumour Armenian Radio jokes]] are all about this trope.
-->'''Q:''' What is chaos?\\
'''Armenian Radio:''' We do not comment on national economics.\\\
'''Q:''' Is it true that there is freedom of speech in the Soviet Union the same as there is in the USA?\\
'''Armenian Radio:''' In principle, yes. In the USA, you can stand in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, and yell, "Down with Reagan!", and you will not be punished. In the Soviet Union, you can stand in the Red Square in Moscow and yell, "Down with Reagan!", and you will not be punished.

* It's said that, when asked what he thought of Western civilization, Mahatma Gandhi replied "I think it would be a good idea."

* Website/{{Google}}, for a while, had been working with the MPAA on trying to curb piracy via their search engine and had done quite a good job, chopping search results in half. The MPAA's response to that was "Everyone shares a responsibility to help curb unlawful conduct online, and we are glad to see Google acknowledging its role in facilitating access to stolen content". Google was quite incensed at that and broke ties with the MPAA and opted to work with the production companies separately.
* Related to the previous in a way; to circumvent NeverSpeakIllOfTheDead, British reporter Hugh Massingberd [[http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/father-of-the-modern-obit/2008/01/04/1198950074313.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 decided to]] employ {{Unusual Euphemism}}s that served as this. "Didn't suffer fools gladly" translated as "complete bastard", "gave colourful accounts of his exploits" meant "liar", "powerful negotiator" suggested "bully", "Uncompromising ladies' man" was to be interpreted as "serial sexual harasser"[[note]]This was most famously said of the 6th Earl of Carnarvon, who was widely known to have both a long list of affairs and flings with Society ladies and an extensive history of indecent exposure.[[/note]] and "tireless raconteur" signalled "crashing bore".
* Somebody in Texas got a license plate with 370HSSV printed on it. [[http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/texas-dmv-revokes-mans-offensive-license-plate-video The state's DMV rejected it because it was considered "offensive"]]. (If you don't get it, turn the plate's wording upside down.)

* In 2014, [[http://venturebeat.com/2015/09/04/ex-bungie-composer-marty-odonnell-wins-epic-legal-fight-with-former-bosses/ composer Martin O'Donnell was fired from]] {{Creator/Bungie}} after he protested how they and {{Creator/Activision}} were hoarding away his symphonies written for ''{{VideoGame/Destiny}}'', titled "Music of the Spheres". A year later, he started his own company called Highwire Games, [[https://highwiregames.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/meet-the-team-2/ whose site includes a bio]] linking to his previous work for Bungie. Clicking on the link to "Music of the Spheres" [[spoiler:leads to a 404 "Page Not Found" on Bungie's website.]]

* Fans can submit letters to many of Creator/MarvelComics's books, including ComicBook/America2017. This book attracted many [[{{Troll}} internet trolls]], who come together and make fun of the book. A troll successfully got one of their (scathingly insulting) letters published, under the guise of praise. For example, the writer compliments the book for [[{{Narm}} always making them laugh]], and compared it to ''Film/TheRoom2003''. The book's writer responded to the letter kindly, showing that she didn't get she was being insulted.
* Addressing someone with a title such as Doctor, Professor, Sergeant, etc as "Mister" or "Miss" is a mild case of InnocentlyInsensitive if unintentional. If done on purpose, it's a WithAllDueRespect kind of way to sneakily and sarcastically mock and disrespect someone's training and competency in their field.
* It’s alleged (though they’d probably deny it) that British doctors would sometimes write “NFN” on patient notes. This was supposedly short for “Normal For Norfolk”, which simultaneously insulted the patient and [[UsefulNotes/EastAnglia the fine mostly-rural county of Norfolk]]; the implication was that the patient might seem mentally challenged, but this wasn’t a sign of a brain injury, it just meant that they were a slack-jawed inbred yokel. In any case, even if the code was ever used, the joke is too well-known now for it still to be used.

* An example of a Stealth Compliment can be found in a (likely apocryphal) story about Roman general [[UsefulNotes/PunicWars Scipio Africanus]]: while on a diplomatic mission, Scipio ran into his defeated nemesis UsefulNotes/HannibalBarca, now living in exile. The two managed to get along quite well, and at the end of the evening, Scipio asked Hannibal who he thought were the greatest generals in history. Hannibal claimed the greatest to be [[UsefulNotes/AlexanderTheGreat Alexander of Macedon]], the second greatest to be [[Main/PyrrhicVictory Pyrrhus of Epirus]], and the third to be... himself. Scipio, feeling insulted, asked Hannibal how he would rank himself if he had actually defeated Scipio. Hannibal replied that then he would rank himself as the greatest general in history. Scipio realized this was Hannibal's face-saving way of admitting that he considered [[WorthyOpponent Scipio]] to [[BrokeTheRatingScale be outside the ranking all together]] and thus be greater than Alexander himself. The two men departed on good terms.

* A common practice in retail is to tell a particularly rude or unkind customer, "I hope your day is as pleasant as you are" in place of the typical "have a good day."

* In 2007, Creator/JamieKennedy acted as the emcee for Creator/{{Activision}}'s [[UsefulNotes/ElectronicEntertainmentExpo E3]] press conference, and his performance was widely considered a trainwreck. Game Trailers' video coverage of the presentation took a jab at Kennedy's expense by describing him as a "comedian" and putting his profession in quotations.

** When PETCO won the naming rights to the San Diego Padres' new ballpark, PETA, who had been protesting PETCO's activities for many years, tried to stop the deal from going through. After failing at that, they decided to have an anti-PETCO message inscribed on a brick inside the stadium. Their first couple of attempts spelled their message out directly and were rejected by the Padres as unsuitable. When they switched to the [[http://www.snopes.com/business/hidden/peta.asp stealth method]] of insulting PETCO, their message made it through. What appeared to be a praise of the Padres saying "Break Open Your Cold Ones! Toast The Padres! Enjoy This Championship Organization” at second glance was a subtle acrostic with the first initials of each word spelling out "Boycott PETCO".

* Saying "check" in TabletopGame/{{Chess}} is considered bad form in this manner, as it's implying your opponent lacks the awareness and competency to realize they've been placed in check. Thus you're supposed to say nothing and, if need be, politely point out you have them in check if they attempt an illegal move on their turn. Having someone say "check" in a game means you're either playing someone with little to no experience playing a human opponent, or someone who is a complete smarmy tool. Or both.

** Hamlet calls Polonius a "Fishmonger". When he was corrected, he responded with regret that Polonius was not so honorable a man. It seems to fit in with Hamlet's "antic disposition", but fishmonger is thought to be period slang for "fleshmonger." In other words, he's saying that Polonius is [[InsultToRocks lower than a pimp]].

* In the Creator/GilbertAndSullivan operetta, ''Theatre/TheGondoliers'', the Duke and Duchess are discussing their daughter's arranged marriage with her. The daughter (who has fallen in love with someone else) says that she will never be able to love her husband:

* Related to the previous in a way; to circumvent NeverSpeakIllOfTheDead, British reporter Hugh Massingberd [[http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/father-of-the-modern-obit/2008/01/04/1198950074313.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 decided to]] employ {{Unusual Euphemism}}s that served as this. "Didn't suffer fools gladly" translated as "complete bastard", "gave colourful accounts of his exploits" meant "liar", "powerful negotiator" suggested "bully", "Uncompromising ladies' man" was to be interpreted as "serial sexual harasser" and "tireless raconteur" signalled "crashing bore".

* Fans can submit letters to many of Creator/MarvelComics's books, including ComicBook/America2017. This book attracted many [[{{Troll}} internet trolls]], who come together and make fun of the book. A troll successfully got one of their (scathingly insulting) letters published, under the guise of praise. For example, the writer compliments the book for [[{{Narm}} always making them laugh]], and compared it to Film/TheRoom. The book's writer responded to the letter kindly, showing that she didn't get she was being insulted.

* In ''Manga/BloomIntoYou'', Sayaka, while waiting for Touko at a train station, happens to run into her senpai and ex-girlfriend. The older girl apologizes to Sayaka for making her like girls and expresses the hope that Sayaka can go back to normal(i.e. heterosexuality). Sayaka responds with, "No need to worry about me. As of now, I don't know how I ever had feelings for you. Still, I suppose I'm grateful to you- in a way," much to her senpai's relief. Sayaka then leaves arm-in-arm with Touko, thereby subtly expressing that she's still a lesbian, and the only thing that's changed is that she no longer loves her senpai. She caps it off by saying goodbye with "Sayonara," - a word which carries the connotation "I do not expect to see you again."

** Late in the film, after [[spoiler: Billy reunites with his biological mother and discovers she willingly abandoned him and currently doesn't want him back in her life]], the former tells the latter that they are going to return to their "real family". Since the latter [[spoiler: disowned Billy as a child]], the former now disowned them, [[spoiler: no longer viewing her as his mother]].

* ''Series/{{Cheers}}'' has them frequently, particularly between Sam and Diane. One first season episode has a zinger, though. Right after Norm's boss has made an aggressive pass at Diane (and [[spoiler: fired Norm for stepping up to Diane's defense]]) because he believed she was a hired escort, Sam says to Diane "We all know you'd starve to death before you made a living with your body."

** Malack seemingly makes one so stealthy even the readers didn't notice, when he comments that "You don't spend time with a general of [[spoiler: Tarquin's]] calibre without learning a few things about attrition", which under the circumstances taken as saying that he's a skilled general experienced at draining an enemy's resources with minimal losses. Later events and author comments suggest that what he actually meant is that [[spoiler: Tarquin's]] military tactics are restricted to WeHaveReserves and ZergRush, so ''every'' battle is won by attrition when he's in charge.

-->''Film/TheProphecy'' featured a pragmatic Lucifer (played by Creator/ViggoMortensen) who has the angelic habit of perching atop things like a bird. Satan [[spoiler: saves the main cast from an evil Gabriel, who was on a rampage against mankind. His own selfish motives being "we don't need another hell up there"]].

* ''WebVideo/CriticalRole'' Percy plays a fantastic game of PolitenessJudo with [[spoiler: the Briarwoods]]. They tell a story about how they let the de Rollo family stay with them during a storm. Percy, being the last of the de Rollo line, knows [[spoiler: that five years later de Rollo family let the Briarwoods stay in ''their'' home, and the Briarwoods killed all of them.]] Percy then raises a toast to [[{{Irony}} "gracious hosts"]] - and everyone knows who he's really talking about.

* The short ''Franchise/StarWars'' comic "Routine" follows an Imperial captain assigned to a soul-drainingly tedious border patrol duty, made even worse by a smug young lieutenant with a [[ThePerfectionist perfectionist streak]] whom he utterly despises, leading to this exchange:

* If you're in one of the Disney Parks, and the Cast Member you were just working with tells you to "Have a magical day" or "Have a Disney day", they were insulting you in the only way they can while keeping their job, since they reserve it for difficult or rude customers.

* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9421918/2/Soldier-of-Zero Soldier of Zero]]'' [[LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero Saito]] calls Kirche a "pet name in the language of his homeland", namely Calamari for how bone-crushingly tight her embrace is when she's trying to get him in her bedroom.

** When Aladdin decided to visit Jasmine and play up the prince charade, he struck an arrogant pose and asked the Genie "How do I look?" The Genie, who had just tried to convince Aladdin to stop pretending to be a prince, replied: "Like... a prince."

** Calvin sometimes has some fun this way at Moe the bully's expense. Once he responds to his demand for a quarter by telling him, "[[ExpospeakGag Your simian countenance suggests a heritage unusually rich in species diversity.]]" As Moe stands there confused, Calvin hands over the quarter and says it was WorthIt.

** "[[Recap/InterviewWithTheVampire2022S1E4TheRuthlessPursuitOfBloodWithAllA ...The Ruthless Pursuit of Blood with All a Child's Demanding]]": Louis de Pointe du Lac intimates that Lestat de Lioncourt is too old to understand adolescent behaviour when he makes the observation "''Tu as oublié ta jeunesse!''" (French for "You've forgotten your youth!" [[note]]which is the direct translation, although the official English-language subtitles offer the more wordy "You've forgotten what it's like to be young!"[[/note]]) Lestat [[AgeInsecurity feels insulted]] and swears in French.

** "[[Recap/InterviewWithTheVampire2022S1E4TheRuthlessPursuitOfBloodWithAllA ...The Ruthless Pursuit of Blood with All a Child's Demanding]]": Louis de Pointe du Lac intimates that Lestat de Lioncourt is too old to understand adolescent behaviour when he makes the observation "''Tu as oublié ta jeunesse!''" (French for "You've forgotten your youth!" [[note]]which is the direct translation, although the official English-language subtitles offers the more wordy "You've forgotten what it's like to be young!"[[/note]]) Lestat [[AgeInsecurity feels insulted]] and swears in French.

** "[[Recap/InterviewWithTheVampire2022S1E4TheRuthlessPursuitOfBloodWithAllA ...The Ruthless Pursuit of Blood with All a Child's Demanding]]": Louis de Pointe du Lac intimates that Lestat de Lioncourt is too old to understand adolescent behaviour when he makes the observation "''Tu as oublié ta jeunesse!''" (French for "You've forgotten your youth!" [[note]]which is the direct translation, although the official English-language subtitles offers the more wordy "You've forgotten what it's like to be young!"[[/note]]) Lestat feels insulted and swears in French.

** In a less severe example, Johnson doesn't say much to [[IronLady Margaret Chase Smith]] in [[https://i.imgur.com/gnkn9Jr.png his transition letter to her]], stating it will be "certainly interesting" to see how she manages the "unique caucus" she's built.

** In the fifth episode, when Claudia exclaims to Louis, "Let's be vampires worthy of your love!", her underlying message is that Lestat is not a worthy romantic partner to Louis. Lestat -- who is absolutely besotted with Louis -- is so offended that he goes ''berserk'' and [[AbusiveParent suffocates Claudia by squeezing his hand around her throat]].
** In the seventh episode, Lestat and Claudia are watching a newsreel about UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler, and after Lestat compliments the look of the Nazi uniforms (he's a SharpDressedMan who adores fashion), Claudia insinuates that he's a [[DomesticAbuser dictator in]] [[AbusiveParent their own home]].

* There's also the time that the [[BritishRoyalGuards Band of the Welsh Guards]], after some protest, did decide to play a song to greet King Abdullah of UsefulNotes/SaudiArabia. The song they chose? [[Franchise/StarWars The]] ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-Cc_dJBKz4 Imperial March]]''.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheJungleBook1967'': Bagheera delivers a sharp one when Baloo is trying to make himself look like someone who can be trusted to raise Mowgli (also the example quote on top of this very Trope Page).

--> '''Gull:''' You realize that I only share these private thoughts with you in recognition of your lack of cognizance?\\

-->'''Fiona''': See? Sugar-Queen is indestructible. In other words, she's numb.
-->'''Mecha Sally''': I get the detail already.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'' fanfic [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3137871/1/Hero-High Hero High]] Ben and Gwen almost appear to try to one-up each other when it comes to stealth insults.

--> '''Ozai''': Excellent as always, Azula. And a better effort than I've seen from you, Zuko. Perhaps one day you'll manage to become a firebender that isn't an affront to your ancestors.

--> '''Lu Ten''': Well, Grandfather would know best after all. Perhaps he sees that you would be of less use on the battlefield than you are here at the palace.

--> '''Oswell Whent:''' My past has made me suspicious of clever men.
--> '''Garth Tyrell:''' Understandable. The problem being that if you don't trust in the clever, you wind up following the fools. And that never goes well. But enough of the Lord Commander. What do you think of Lady Ruari?

-->''Zapana:'' "Weren't you the one who told me that gesture's considered obscene in Spain?"
-->''Aldonza:'' "Not my fault if he's never seen 'The Film/PodPeople'."

-->'''Baloo''': I'll learn him all I know!
-->'''Bagheera''': Well, that shouldn't take too long.

-->'''Simba''': Hey, Uncle Scar. When I'm king, what'll that make you?
-->'''Scar''': A monkey's uncle.

-->'''Banzai:''' Oh Scar. It's just you.
-->'''Shenzi:''' We were afraid it was somebody important.
-->'''Banzai:''' Yeah, you know, like Mufasa.
-->'''Shenzi:''' Yeah.
-->'''Scar:''' ''(scowling at the sheer sentences)'' I see.

-->'''Clark''': My cousin-in-law whose heart is bigger than his brain.
-->'''Eddie''': I appreciate that Clark.

-->'''Salieri''': Mozart. It was good of you to come.
-->'''Mozart''': How could I not?
-->'''Salieri''': Did my work please you?
-->'''Mozart''': How could it not, Excellency?
-->'''Salieri''': Yes?
-->'''Mozart''': I never knew that music like that was possible.
-->'''Salieri''': You flatter me.
-->'''Mozart''': Oh no! One hears such sounds and what can one say, but -- Salieri!

--> '''Tugg Speedman:''' There were times while I was playing Jack where I felt...retarded. Like, really retarded.\\

'''Coulson:''' Yes you do. Your patsy is legendary. In fact, when I think of the word "patsy"--
--->'''Sitwell:''' [[PreemptiveShutUp Alright.]]

--> '''Otto:''' I have a nasty temper, though I keep it in control

-->'''Arthur:''' Hobson, this is Gloria.
-->'''Gloria:''' Hi!
-->'''Hobson:''' Thrilling to meet you Gloria. I look forward to your next syllable with great eagerness.

-->'''Betsy''': Don't you break that egg, rat!
-->'''Bitsy''': A broken rotten egg would make this barn stink to high heaven!
-->'''Templeton''': [[DeadpanSnarker That'd be a change.]]
-->'''Bitsy''': Ahahaha!
-->'''Betsy''': [[LampshadeHanging Why you laughin', Bits? He just said we stink!]]

--> '''Annarita:''' Maybe I was wrong about The Gladiator. At least I know I can be wrong though. I don't think Maria's ever been wrong in her life--and If you don't believe me, just ask her.
--> ''Maria Tenance started to nod. She almost gave herself a whiplash stopping when she realized, a split second too late, that Annarita wasn't complimenting her.''

-->'''Dudley:''' They flush people's heads down the toilet first day at Stonewall. Want to practice?\\

-->'''Marge:''' "If there's something wrong with the bitch, there'll be something wrong with the pup--"

-->'''[=McGonagall=]:''' He [Harry Potter] has achieved high marks in all his Defense Against the Dark Arts tests—\\

-->'''Sybill Trelawney''': Everything went pitch black and the next thing I knew, I was being hurled headfirst out of the Room!
-->'''Harry Potter''': And you didn't see that coming?
-->'''Sybill Trelawney''': No, as I said it was pitch-- *''suddenly gets it and gives Harry a DeathGlare''*

-->"What a clever daughter I have," Olga beamed at Hattie.
-->"As clever as she is beautiful," [Ella] said.
-->They both began to answer me, and then stopped, confused.
-->"Hattie isn't pretty," said Olive.

-->'''King of Bohemia:''' ''(Talking about Irene Adler)'' What a woman – oh, what a woman! Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?\\

-->'''Holmes:''' I'll give you one. This case is quite sufficiently complicated to start with without the further difficulty of false information.\\

--> "A confederate who foresees your conclusions and course of action is always dangerous, but one to whom each development comes as a perpetual surprise, and to whom the future is always a closed book, is indeed an ideal helpmate."

-->'''Sgt. Colon''': I know something about seaweed, sir.
-->'''Vetinari''': You do?
-->'''Sgt. Colon''': Yes! When it's wet, that means it's going to rain!
-->'''Vetinari''': I shall never forget you said that.
-->Colon's response is to walk away proudly thinking that he's "Made a Contribution", when Vetinari ''probably'' meant he would never forget its monumental stupidity.

--> '''Mrs. Trimmer:''' I hope you're prepared to work.
--> '''Fisk:''' I never work. If you're clever you don't have to. Are you a hard worker, Mrs. Trimmer?
--> '''Mrs. Trimmer:''' That I am, and an honest woman to boot.

--> '''King Joffery''': [Sansa's] stupid brother is calling himself a king.
--> '''Tyrion''': All kinds of people are calling themselves kings these days.

--> '''Polly:''' You're not by any chance the Duke of Kent, are you?

---> '''Renly''': You can trust Brienne. Her loyalty comes without charge.

--> '''Chris:''' Donna you are a remarkable woman and I just want to say I have always thought of you as family.
--> '''Donna:''' I just want to say I always thought you were pretty hot.
--> '''Chris:''' Yes I know.

--> '''Fletcher:''' Afternoon, Mr Beale.
--> '''Mr Beale:''' How do you know my name?!
--> '''Fletcher:''' Word gets around, it doesn't take long. I expect you're already a legend on some bog walls.

--> And someone said, "It's fabulous you're still around today--you've both made such a little go a very long way."

--> '''Al:''' It's because you sound better that way.\\

-->'''Arthur:''' Will there be more learning how to understand people?
-->'''Carolyn:''' No, Arthur, I think you understand as much about people as you ever will.
-->'''Arthur:''' Thanks, Mum, what a nice thing to say.
-->'''Carolyn:''' Case in point.

-->'''Joshua:''' ...and then before long, I find myself wondering if I'm some kind of idiot!
-->'''Samuel:''' Oh, I wouldn't waste your time wondering about that.

-->'''Jeremy:''' I think he's tremendous, isn't he?
-->'''Ian:''' Yes, you mustn't be fooled by this media idea that we all hate each other.
-->'''Jeremy:''' No!
-->'''Ian:''' I mean, he's terrific fun, Piers. He's 'round my house all the time.
-->'''Jeremy:''' When he isn't at mine! And his career has gone from strength to strength.
-->'''Ian:''' I mean, who could begrudge him international success, money and wealth?
-->'''Jeremy:''' And his wife likes him too!

--> '''The poets''' ''(with mouths crammed full):'' Exquisite! Delicious!

-->'''Duke:''' I don't know. It's extraordinary what unprepossessing people one can love if one gives one's mind to it.
-->'''Duchess:''' I loved your father.

-->'''Curly''': But the folks that really knowed him, knowed that beneath them two dirty shirts he always wore\\

* In ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'', [=GLaDOS=] quickly proved herself to be the undisputed master of passive-aggressiveness thanks to her use of this trope. One of the reasons the first game is usually considered funnier than the already-hilarious ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'' is because so many of the jokes (the majority of them being jabs at [[HeroicMime Chell]]) tend to fly over the heads of first-time players, only clicking on repeat playthroughs after her deep antagonism towards Chell has come to light (and even with the insults that don't call for multiple playthroughs, most of them require you to spend a few moments deciphering their actual meaning).
--> '''[=GLaDOS=]:''' "Unbelievable! You, [SUBJECT NAME HERE], must be the pride of [SUBJECT HOMETOWN HERE]."

-->'''Quistis''': [[SincerityMode Good luck]].
-->'''Seifer''': Instructor... I hate it when people wish me luck. Save those words for a bad student that needs them, eh?
-->'''Quistis''': Very well. Good luck, Seifer.

* Quoted above is an exchange from ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'', in which Lissa mocks the none-too-bright Vaike's insistence on calling himself "Teach," by saying, "And here I thought people were just born lacking wits. It can be taught?" It takes Vaike a moment to realize the insult.

--> '''Linhardt''': You've mastered all the important noble skills. You drink tea, talk about how great you are, ride horses...\\

-->'''Edelgard''': Simply tell me your weaknesses, and you're welcome to stay. But is there enough time to cover them all?

-->'''Tarvek:''' ''*with apparent sincerity*'' You were ''trying'' to convince me that you were a disgusting, swinish, lecherous, drunken ''sot.'' Well, I want you to know, it ''worked.'' Well ''done!''

-->[[spoiler:'''Tarquin]]:''' Sabine! It's been too long. You're looking lovely.\\

-->'''Blackwing:''' Darn it! I was really hoping to become a totally cool killing machine with magical razor sharp talons of death!\\

--> '''Gord:''' I'm sorry, I'm afraid I subscribe to the theory of intellectual osmosis. As such, I must now cease our conversation and move away from you before my intelligence begins to drop. Good day.

--> '''Vaggie:''' Can you please just try to take this seriously?\\

-->'''Darby:''' "...One of these days, I'm going to be somebody someone's gonna want to shoot at."
-->'''Mike:''' "Hey, if it's any consolation, I already think you should be shot."

-->'''Esther''': Cailin, how can I be hot like you?
-->'''Cailin''': [''Pauses, stares at Esther as if stuck for an answer''] Uuuum, well...everyone is hot, you know, everyone is beautiful in their own way, and it's really just the inner beauty that--
-->'''Esther''': How does it feel knowing that you're so pretty that no-one cares what you say?
* See here and there on this very Wiki. For example, in the Film section of PragmaticVillainy:
--> ''Film/TheProphecy'' featured a pragmatic Lucifer (played by Creator/ViggoMortensen) who has the angelic habit of perching atop things like a bird. Satan [[spoiler: saves the main cast from an evil Gabriel, who was on a rampage against mankind. His own selfish motives being "we don't need another hell up there"]].\\

-->'''Marik:''' You like stupid things, Bakura.
-->'''Bakura:''' Yes I do, [[BrainlessBeauty Marik]]. [[HoYay Yes I do.]]

---> "When you get to Hell, tell them Penwood sent you. And then apologize on my behalf for the inconvenience."

--> '''Ted:''' If I may use a sports analogy, you really hit the goalpost on that one!
--> '''Boss:''' Yes... I guess I did.
--> '''Boss:''' Dilbert you seem strangely silent. Shall I interpret that as a sign of deep respect and dare I say awe?
--> '''Dilbert:''' Yes. You ''could'' interpret it that way.
--> '''Boss:''' Aww, I'm blushing now...

-->'''Edd:''' ''(as the trio are making Jonny annoying)'' Ed, why did you glue a wooden block to Jonny's foot? Why these chains? And why the suit? Why Jonny?!\\

-->'''Yosemite Sam:''' Are you trying to make me look like a fool?\\

--> '''Pooh:''' I cleverly put [''my honey''] where it's safe from honey-nappers...right in here! [''pats stomach'']\\

--> ''"Spreche Meinen besten Dank aus. Chr. Rex"''[[note]]Giving my best thanks, King Christian[[/note]]
* It's said that, when asked what he thought of Western civilization, Mahatma Gandhi replied "I think it would be a good idea"

--> Do not be like your fathers, who believed in one God from whose unity they removed any plurality. They erred indeed when they said, "Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one" ([[Literature/TheBible Deuteronomy]] 6:4), when they understood this unity in its purest sense [...] Not so you! You shall believe that one can become three, and that three united make one.

-->'''Cartagia''': Ah, Mollari. It's wonderful to see you again.\\
'''Londo''': And you, Majesty. I could swear you have not changed since the last few times I saw you.\\
'''Cartagia''': Oh, you are of course too generous.

* In ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'', invoked by Spock at the end of "Mirror, Mirror" regarding their MirrorUniverse counterparts, leading a bemused Kirk and [=McCoy=] to question whether they've just been insulted as well.
-->'''Spock''': May I point out that I had an opportunity to observe [[MirrorUniverse your counterparts]] here quite closely. They were brutal, savage, unprincipled, uncivilised, treacherous, in every way, ''[[HumansAreFlawed splendid examples]]'' of homo sapiens, the very [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch flower of humanity]]. I found them quite refreshing.
* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': In "The Neutral Zone", Starfleet learns that several bases along the Federation/Romulan [[TheNeutralZone Neutral Zone]], suspecting that the Romulans were responsible till they explain that their own bases along the Neutral Zone were destroyed in a similar manner, and after suspecting the Federation in turn, they tell Picard, [[NotMeThisTime "Once we realized the level of destruction, we knew it could not have been you."]]. Assuaging and insulting at the same time, as befitting a side known for using cloaking technology.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hmlPtRu1SQ This]] cutaway joke, in which two women having lunch at a cafe exchange bitchy insults about each other's appearances [[PassiveAggressiveKombat disguised with cheerful friendliness]]. The camera then pans over to the table next to them, where two men are having lunch. One of them sincerely says he likes the other's tie, and the other thanks him.