Entertainment Gist!! ‘Game of Thrones: Top 10 insults of all time include three by Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg)

“Game of Thrones” has reaped five Emmy nominations for writing, winning in both 2014 and last year for episodes penned by showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. These Emmy favorites — “Mothers’ Mercy” and “Battle of the Bastards” — were episodes focused on the fierce fights at the center of the show. However, other installments have had lighter moments as characters opt to do battle with barbs.


Among those actors

on Game of Thrones” who have been given devilish dialogue are two-time Emmy champ Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) and Emmy nominee Diana Rigg (Olenna Tyrell). The latter is known on the show as the Queen of Thorns and by fans as the Queen of Sass for her savage put-downs. Not surprisingly, she figures in three of our top 10 insults of all-time. Does your favorite not number on the list below? Let us know in the
comments section.

1. “’Born amidst salt and smoke…’ Is he a ham?” – Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony) said in “Garden of Bones” (Season 2, Episode 4)

Renly looks the part, with his armor and golden crown, and he’s known for his quick wit.


2. “How do they communicate their demands? By raven or horse?” – Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg) said in “The Gift” (Season 5, Episode 7)

She asks this of The High Sparrow in the Sept of Baelor when he’s discussing how the Gods communicates their wishes.


3. “There’s no cure being a c***.” – Bronn (Jerome Flynn) said in “Garden of Bones” (Season 2, Episode 4)

Of all of his insults, this is most direct. He’s talking about Joffrey, of course.

4 “I’m not questioning your honour, Lord Janos. I’m denying it’s existence entirely.” – Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) said in “The Night Lands” (Season 2, Episode 2)

Tyrion can’t help but smirk when he’s calling out Janos Slynt about his betrayal before sending the man to the Wall.


5. “Put the pen down, dear, we both know you’re not writing anything.” – Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg) said in “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken” (Season 5, Episode 6)

“Ah yes, the famous tart-tongued queen of thorns.” – Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey).

“And the famous tart, Quenn Cersei.” – Olenna Tyrell

This features two quips in one. First, she sums up our thoughts about Cersei who isn’t nearly as bright as she thinks she is, and then puts her down resoundingly.


6. “Drop that arrow you bloody girl. Tougher girls than you have tried to kill me.” – The Hound (Rory McCann) said in “No One” (Season 6, Episode 8)

He dismisses her so readily that you can’t help but laugh at the archer who actually believes he could defeat Sandor Clegane.


7. “It’s all fallen on me.” – Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey)

“As has Jaime repeatedly, according to Stannis Baratheon.” – Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) said in “The Night Lands” (Season 2, Episode 2)

While Cersei bemoans the pressures of ruling, Tyrion is too busy teasing his sister about the rumors going around the Seven Kingdoms. Tyrion can’t help but smile when he says this; even he’s proud of this one.


8. “Do shut up, dear. Anything from you? No. Good. Let the grown women speak.” – Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg) said in “The Winds of Winter” (Season 6, Episode 10)

Olenna is speaking to Ellaria and the Sand Snakes and dismisses all three of them with ease.


9. “Meryn Trant? The greatest swordsman who ever lived killed by Meryn f****** Trant? Any boy whore with a sword could beat three Meryn Trants.” – The Hound (Rory McCann) said in “First of his Name” (Season 4, Episode 5)

The Hound is beside himself when Arya furiously defends her former teacher and can’t hide his amusement when he learns Syrio fought to his death with a wooden sword.


10. “I wish we had some wine for you, it’s a bit early in the day for us.” – Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) said in “High Sparrow” (Season 5, Episode 3)

She takes a sly dig at Cersei jabbing and probing at the Queen Mother’s drink problem.