douchebag

A douchebag is a vulgar slang term used as a pejorative to describe a person whose behavior is perceived as obnoxious, arrogant, or inconsiderate. It is informal and offensive in tone, and while it can be directed at anyone, it is most commonly applied to men. In usage, a douchebag is typically someone who acts with entitlement, disregard for others, or manipulative or aggressive behavior, rather than for a single mistake.

Origin and etymology: The term combines "douche," referring to a vaginal douche, with "bag" and emerged in American English in the late 20th century. The sense evolved from a descriptor of social or personal conduct associated with such a lifestyle to a general insult for disagreeable individuals. In modern usage, "douchebag" can be used as a noun (he is a douchebag) or as the basis for adjectives like "douchebaggy" or "douchey" to describe similar behavior. Because of its vulgarity and gendered implications, many style guides and editors discourage its use in formal writing and in professional contexts, recommending milder terms such as "rude person" or "self-centered individual" instead.