Editing Insult (section)

== Backhanded compliments ==
{{See also|Passive aggression}}
A backhanded (or left-handed) compliment, or [[wikt:asteism|asteism]], is an insult that is disguised as, or accompanied by, a [[wikt:compliment|compliment]], especially in situations where the belittling or condescension is intentional.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/backhanded |title=Backhanded&nbsp;– Definition of Backhanded at Dictionary.com |publisher=Dictionary.reference.com |access-date=2010-01-27| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100211212617/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/backhanded| archive-date= 11 February 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

Examples of backhanded compliments include, but are not limited to:

*"I did not expect you to ace that exam. Good for you.", which could impugn the target's success as a fluke.<ref name=AboutRela>{{cite web|last=Burbach|first=Cherie|title=Backhanded Compliment. About Relationships. n.d.|website=about.com|access-date=2 January 2015|url=http://friendship.about.com/od/Friendship_Definitions/g/Backhanded-Compliment.htm|archive-date=3 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103052153/http://friendship.about.com/od/Friendship_Definitions/g/Backhanded-Compliment.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*"That skirt makes you look far thinner.", insinuating hidden fat, with the implication that fat is something to be ashamed of.<ref name=AboutRela />
*"I wish I could be as straightforward as you, but I always try to get along with everyone.", insinuating an overbearing attitude.<ref name=AboutRela />
*"I like you. You have the boldness of a much younger person.", insinuating decline with age.<ref name=AboutRela />

[[Negging]] is a type of backhanded compliment used for [[emotional manipulation]] or as a [[Pickup artist#Practices|seduction method]]. The term was coined and prescribed by [[pickup artist]]s.<ref name="psychologytoday">{{cite web|last1=Nicholson|first1=Jeremy|title=Can an Insult Make You Fall in Love?|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-attraction-doctor/201308/can-insult-make-you-fall-in-love|work=[[Psychology Today]]|accessdate=21 April 2015|date=31 August 2013}}</ref> Negging is often viewed as a straightforward insult rather than as a pick-up line,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Woolf|first1=Nicky|title='Negging': the anatomy of a dating trend|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/voices/2012/05/negging-latest-dating-trend|accessdate=21 April 2015|work=[[New Statesman]]|date=25 May 2012}}</ref> in spite of the fact that proponents of the technique traditionally stress it is not an insult.