
Bastard
Etymology:
An Old French term originally meaning the child of a nobleman by a woman other than his wife, the word either refers to a child conceived either on horses saddles or in a barn (fil de bast) with the pejorative art added as a Gallic flourish. In Yorkshire up to a century ago a bastard who was so full of bastardry that he was the envy of all the other bastards in the parish, was known as the bastard’s gullion.
Essential use in cinema: Patton
Patton is chock full of memorable lines such as "When you put your hand into a bunch of goo that a moment before was your best friend's face, you'll know what to do." But one of the best quotes: "Rommel... you magnificent bastard, I read your book!" - was attributed to the man himself (when he anticipated the maneuvers of his enemy by studying his work). Not only was Patton a surly, foul-mouthed bastard, he believed himself to be the reincarnation of an ancient Roman bastard.