tossers

Tossers is the plural form of tosser, a term in British English used as a pejorative insult referring to a person deemed foolish, obnoxious, or contemptible. In many contexts it functions similarly to terms such as prat or git, though it can be considered more vulgar and offensive. The word is typically used informally in spoken language and is less common in formal writing or polite conversation. It can appear in both light joking contexts and in outright hostility, depending on tone and setting.

Etymology and usage: The precise origin of tosser is uncertain. It is generally thought to derive from the verb to toss (to throw) and may have arisen as a pejorative label for someone who behaves as if “tossing about” in a way that is reckless or annoying. Some explanations connect it to rhyming slang or to earlier British slang terms. The term is predominantly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and is considered rude and potentially offensive in more conservative settings or around unfamiliar audiences.

In modern usage, you might encounter phrases such as “what a tosser” as a standalone insult, or its adjectival form in limited cases. It is rarely appropriate in formal discourse and may be censored in broadcast media or edited for polite company.

See also: insult, slang, British English.