| Revision as of 16:24, 16 May 2011 editLevenBoy (talk | contribs)1,267 edits Undid revision 429395253 by HighKing (talk)Revert POV removal of BI. Taking out link altogether was an option← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:34, 18 May 2011 edit undoHighKing (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers27,854 edits Fixed article for accuracy, added relevant link, added See also linksNext edit → | ||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
| A '''pissant''', also seen as '''piss-ant''' and '''piss ant''', is one or the other of two specific types of ]. Its origin is with ''pismire'', a 14th-century word for ant.<ref>http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19990331</ref><ref>http://thenightwriterblog.powerblogs.com/posts/1152500340.shtml</ref> The term is also used as an insulting noun, and a ] adjective. | A '''pissant''', also seen as '''piss-ant''' and '''piss ant''', is one or the other of two specific types of ]. Its origin is with ''pismire'', a 14th-century word for ant.<ref>http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19990331</ref><ref>http://thenightwriterblog.powerblogs.com/posts/1152500340.shtml</ref> The term is also used as an insulting noun, and a ] adjective. | ||
| The original ''pissant'' is any of a certain group of large ant ], commonly called ''],'' that make mounded nests in |
The original ''pissant'' is any of a certain group of large ant ], commonly called ''],'' that make mounded nests in forests thoughout most of ]<ref></ref>. The name ''pissant'' arises from the ]-like odor produced by their nesting material—needles and straw from ] trees—and the ] that constitutes their ].<ref>http://www.takeourword.com/Issue102.html#Spotlight</ref> '']'' is one such ant, but there are others with similar characteristics. It may be derived from the term pismire.<ref>"1350–1400; ME pissemyre, equiv. to pisse to urinate + obs. mire ant, perh. < Scand (cf. Dan myre, Sw myra), c. D mier; pejorative name from stench of formic acid proper to ants" Dictionary.com</ref> | ||
| ''Forelius'' and ''Irydomyrmex'' are two genera of piss ants.<ref>] US, 2006, p. 256.]</ref> | ''Forelius'' and ''Irydomyrmex'' are two genera of piss ants.<ref>] US, 2006, p. 256.]</ref> | ||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
| ''Piss ant'' can also be used positively. Ron Ault of the ] said, in describing the relationship of his union to ], "Our job is to be the irritant, piss ant stinging them on their ankles at every opportunity."<ref></ref> | ''Piss ant'' can also be used positively. Ron Ault of the ] said, in describing the relationship of his union to ], "Our job is to be the irritant, piss ant stinging them on their ankles at every opportunity."<ref></ref> | ||
| ==See also== | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 16:34, 18 May 2011
For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see Pisces Iscariot.A pissant, also seen as piss-ant and piss ant, is one or the other of two specific types of ant. Its origin is with pismire, a 14th-century word for ant. The term is also used as an insulting noun, and a pejorative adjective.
The original pissant is any of a certain group of large ant species, commonly called wood ants, that make mounded nests in forests thoughout most of Europe. The name pissant arises from the urine-like odor produced by their nesting material—needles and straw from pine trees—and the formic acid that constitutes their venom. Formica rufa is one such ant, but there are others with similar characteristics. It may be derived from the term pismire.
Forelius and Irydomyrmex are two genera of piss ants.
In the United States, the word pissant can refer to any small ant that infests a home.
The term may be construed as being vulgar in every sense.
Slang
Pissant is an epithet for an inconsequential, irrelevant, or worthless person, especially one who is irritating or contemptible out of proportion to his or her significance. A Virginia politician who also popularized the term once silenced a heckler by saying "I'm a big dog on a big hunt and I don't have time for a piss-ant on a melon stalk."
The term piss-ant can also be used as an adjective, usually as a pejorative, to mean insignificant and annoying. In conversations with his advisors during the Vietnam War, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson referred to Vietnam as "that damn piss-ant little country" or when Auerlio Vidmar, former coach of Adelaide United, called Adelaide "a pissant town" after their loss to Wellington Phoenix in 2008.
Culture
In the Monty Python sketch 'Bruces' Philosophers Song', the philosopher Immanuel Kant is referred to as a 'pissant' in the first line.
In the musical "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," Miss Mona Stangley sings the song "A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place".
In the film "Commando," Bennett refers to Arius' soldiers as: "little piss ant soldiers trying to talk tough".
It was the basis of the nickname for mob boss "The Ant" Anthony Spilotro after an FBI agent referred to him as a "Pissant" during a press conference, though the media couldn't use the prefix. Spilotro is best known in pop-culture as the basis for Joe Pesci's character in the 1995 film Casino.
The biotechnology sector in Arizona was described by Arizona State University president Michael Crow as being at a "piss ant level" relative to the sector in other states such as California.
After being defeated 4-0 in an Australian semi-final football (soccer) match against Melbourne Victory, Adelaide United coach Aurelio Vidmar's post-match press conference became infamous when he described Adelaide as a "pissant town". The rant gained nation-wide publicity in Australia.
In computer role-playing game Baldur's Gate, a mage called Thalantyr says: "Why do I have to live in such a piss ant town?", when you start a discussion with him.
Recently, Jerry Reisndorf, the owner of the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox, used the term to refer to sports analyst Jay Mariotti.
Piss ant can also be used positively. Ron Ault of the AFL-CIO said, in describing the relationship of his union to the Pentagon, "Our job is to be the irritant, piss ant stinging them on their ankles at every opportunity."
See also
European red wood ant Formica pratensis Formica polyctena
References
- http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19990331
- http://thenightwriterblog.powerblogs.com/posts/1152500340.shtml
- The IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species
- http://www.takeourword.com/Issue102.html#Spotlight
- "1350–1400; ME pissemyre, equiv. to pisse to urinate + obs. mire ant, perh. < Scand (cf. Dan myre, Sw myra), c. D mier; pejorative name from stench of formic acid proper to ants" Dictionary.com
- Kris M. Havstad, Structure and Function of a Chihuahuan Desert Ecosystem, Oxford University Press US, 2006, p. 256.
- http://www.pestproducts.com/pissant.htm
- http://www.law.uoregon.edu/faculty/gepps/docs/unclebilly.html
- Jeffrey Record, The wrong war, Naval Institute Press, 1998, p. viii,
- "California vote leads to push for AZ stem cell ban", Phoenix Business Journal, Nov. 12th, 2004.
- http://www.independentweekly.com.au/news/national/national/sport/ranting-vidmar-will-keep-his-job/1434294.aspx
- http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25058444-5006068,00.html
- http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/soccer/adelaide-feels-wrath-of-vidmar/2009/02/15/1234028361960.html
- http://www.safm.com.au/shows/rabbitamberandcosi/show-blog//blog/aurelio-vidmar-adelaide-is-a-pissant-town/20090216-2r1y.html
- http://deadspin.com/5624302/jay-mariotti-was-and-is-a-pissant
- Stephen Barr, "Blunt Talk on Union Web Site Spotlights Frustration Over Labor Relations Changes", Aug. 20, 2004.