Literary notes about Lousy (AI summary)
The term “lousy” features prominently in literature as a versatile informal modifier that conveys contempt, mediocrity, or displeasure. It appears as a scathing epithet directed toward individuals—calling someone a “lousy swine” [1] or a “lousy traitor” [2]—while also characterizing conditions or objects with a dismissive tone, such as describing obsolete equipment as “damned, lousy, stinkin' obsolete equipment” [3] or noting that a situation is “lousy” [4, 5]. Its adaptability even extends to humorous or ironic contexts, where it underscores the everyday reality of imperfect circumstances, whether referring to the quality of service [6] or the state of being in a dismal setting [7]. This flexible use helps create vivid, relatable dialogue and narrative texture across a range of literary works [8, 9, 10].
- "Plimsoll, the lousy swine, he stole my gal, God blast him!
— from Rimrock Trail by Dunn, J. Allan, (Joseph Allan) - "Lousy traitor," Cable said, raising his rifle.
— from Meeting of the Minds by Robert Sheckley - "Damned, lousy, stinkin' obsolete equipment!"
— from Big Pill by Raymond Z. Gallun - It was lousy the next morning, all right.
— from Test Pilot by James Collins - It's a dirty world—an unfair, lousy world.
— from The Valley of the Moon by Jack London - "But—with your permission, sir—I still think my particular method of assignment is a lousy approach and I don't like it.
— from Shock Absorber by E. G. Von Wald - One sleeps in lousy barns or dripping dugouts.
— from Ballads of a Bohemian by Robert W. (Robert William) Service - “But you ain’t, you lousy bucko!” mocked Scurlock.
— from Cursed by George Allan England - you lousy tog, who do you call my master?
— from The Adventures of Roderick Random by T. Smollett - You lousy packrat, you've broken that child's heart!
— from The Rider of Golden Bar by William Patterson White
