h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm in the middle of writing something and I've hit a snag. I'm not that familiar with British insults, so I'm not sure what would be a good word to include after "Bloody _______." I'm hoping someone here will be able to help me out. The context in question has been copied below:


11th of July – Entered Bosphorus at dawn. Boarded by Turkish Customs officers. The overzealous fanatics thought we were smugglers. Kept us in port for most of the day only to find everything in order. Bloody INSERT AMUSING INSULT HERE. Underway again at 4 p.m.

"Foreigners" would probably work.

When is this set? That may affect which insults would be appropriate.

I'm guessing post 1453 at any rate

And to answer the question, assuming we're in the 21st century here.

I would remove the word 'bloody XXXXX' and perhaps just insert the word 'T ossers' although you could still use bloody in front, it's not usual.

Just a thought, "Bosphorus" isn't one of these new trendy girl's names is it?

I'd go for 'imbeciles'.

swl

"Foreigners" would probably work"

Perfect insult by an English person whatever time in history it is set.

I'd go with this one.

The time period isn't very specific. Technically it's the 1890s, but the people speaking are all from 2012, so half the time they're using 1890s speach and half the time they're using 2012 speach. It makes sense in context.

Tosspots.

B

Cow.ell

If you'd like a classy insult, you could choose a Shakespearian one:
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/quotes/shakespeareinsults.html

For insults in general, you might try
http://www.insults.net/

Plebs was topical recently.

Deb

Turks? Civil servants? Officials? Idiots? (Although I find "idiots" a bit strong, as they were, after all, doing their job. At least in the little bit of context we've been given.)

So it's 21st century folks caught up back in
the 1890s, eh. Sounds like something from the
steampunk vocabulary might be appropriate but
I'd have to refer you to others more familiar with
that genre.


~jwf~

Oh c'mon, it's obvious..........Bloody jobsworths !!

Meaning for non Brits : A person who will continue to do his designated task to the letter, even though he knows it is ridiculous/pointless/anal, because, when challenged to give any leeway, will reply "That would be more than my jobs worth squire'

Although the best reply so far is "Bloody foreigner"

Just re read this thread, and SWL's Bosphorus comment sunk in

Slow burn, but fine comedy in the tradition of "Carry on"

Is it to be an insult to the officials? "Bloody cheek" would work just as an observation.

I initially thought 'jobsworths', but it's too weak here. It's almost exclusively reserved for bureacracy, whereas these border officials were somewhere between stupid and cruel.

Bloody fools? Bloody nincompoops? Bloody amateurs?