What are particularistic pejoratives?

Particularistic pejoratives (PPs) mock individuals based on their personal attributes yet lack a precise definition. This paper seeks to refine our understanding of PPs by examining their derogatory profiles across three dimensions: descriptiveness, intensity, and slurring potential. I propose a four‐way taxonomy and argue that current frameworks fail to account for PPs beyond “all‐purpose” terms like jerk or bastard. To address this, I develop a pragmatic explanation of how PPs derogate by leveraging social stigmas and expectations. Finally, I argue that slurs constitute a subset of PPs associated with dominance hierarchies, advancing our understanding of both forms of verbal harm.