Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the FX series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as well as misogynistic and abusive language and discussions of fatphobia.
The rowdy gang from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia can be ruthless and unforgiving with their words. Their emotional outbursts often prompt some of the best insults and put-downs in the hilarious sitcom.
From Dennis’ threat of turning Dee into a lampshade to Mac’s shady comment about Dee’s experience with pageants, there’s no shortage of gut-busting insults on the series. The best ones often seem to come out of nowhere and can even be jarring to watch, making them unforgettable. Of course, there’s also the expected “bird” insult that is always used on sweet Dee.
Dee Reynolds:
“Cause I'll See It On The Sides, And I'll See It In The Thighs. Still Fat To Me, Still Fat To You, Fatty Magoo, Fatty Magoo, Magoo, Magoo, Magoo, Magoo.”
The funniest insults don’t always have the intended results, as underscored in a scene during the season 7 episode “The High School Reunion, Part 2: The Gang's Revenge.” When the gang struggles to prove that they’re better than their old classmates, Dee calls Ingrid over in an attempt to humiliate her.
Her “Fatty Magoo” insult may have worked before, but it certainly doesn’t make sense anymore because Dee and Dennis admit that she’s not “that fat anymore” and it only came off as “pathetic and mean.” It’s a funny and rare moment of self-awareness from the callous twins.
Dennis Reynolds:
“You’re A Pit Of Despair. Frank, You Disgust Me, You Disgust Everyone.”
Things get heated between Dennis and Frank in the season four episode “America's Next Top Paddy's Billboard Model Contest” after Frank makes a terrible mistake by telling Dennis he has an “anteater nose.” Dennis is quick to snap back by reminding Frank that his nose “was chiseled by the gods themselves.”
His statement takes a darker turn once he seriously insults Frank for being a disgusting “pit of despair.” It’s a classic Dennis moment that becomes even better when it suddenly cuts away after showing Frank’s gloomy face for a few seconds.
Frank Reynolds:
“Did You Smell Her Breath? It Smelled Like She Was Nibbling On Little Pieces Of S**t.”
One of Frank’s most underrated quotes is said in the first episode of season six “Mac Fights Gay Marriage.” When Dennis gets wedding fever and pursues Maureen, Frank and Charlie question his decisions.
After smiling at Maureen and waiting for the happy couple to walk by, Frank turns to Charlie and asks if he could “smell her breath” before promptly comparing the odor to feces. Dennis boldly defends his new bride a bit later by hilariously saying it “must have been the Funyuns or something.” It’s an amusing exchange that only the gang could pull off, as it isn’t easy to come up with rude comparisons and lame excuses on the fly.
Dennis Reynolds:
“Dee, You Gangly, Uncoordinated B***h.”
The best Dennis and Dee moments on the show often highlight their toxic relationship as siblings. The season 7 episode “The Gang Gets Trapped” showcases an unforgettable squabble between the two after Dee almost gets both of them caught when she bumps into a piece of furniture.
Dennis’ whispered insult cuts deep and noticeably shocks Dee who is swift to respond with her own offensive words. The two of them are more alike than they would ever admit and that scene is one of the several moments that prove that.
Charlie Kelly:
“I Don’t See Professionals, I See Amateurs, I See Trash – Little Pieces Of Trash On My Stage.”
Charlie sets a horrible example for a group of young girls joining Paddy’s Pub’s beauty contest in the season 7 episode “Frank Reynolds’ Little Beauties.” He’s clearly not impressed by their poses and poor timing, and he doesn’t hesitate to express his disappointment.
His comment about them being “little pieces of trash” encourages one of the participants to brag about her superior skills. It’s hilarious to hear the kid call the others “dummies” and remarking how “it’s not even hard.” It’s a gut-busting moment that stresses how disconnected the gang is from acceptable societal norms and behaviors.
Mac McDonald:
“How Would You Win Pageants? Did You Have A Different Face?”
Mac isn’t the smartest person in the group, so it’s usually pleasantly surprising when he chimes in with a witty line. In the third episode of season 7, he does exactly this when he acts shocked after learning Dee used to join and even win pageants.
Frank’s response about Dee “being a dog back then, too” has perfect comedic timing and is as funny as Mac’s insult. The gang would see exactly how much Dee’s “practicing” would pay off when she performs an embarrassing song and dance number during the pageant.
Frank Reynolds:
“There’s Nothing More Threatening To A Man Than A Woman Who’s Smart And Attractive. We Have To Pretend You’re Both.”
Chaos ensues in the season 2 episode “The Gang Runs for Office” when the group finds themselves divided in the political realm. Frank proves he’s the worst relative ever when he says a shady comment about Dee’s appearance and intelligence before using her to manipulate the comptroller.
Fans likely found themselves agreeing with her when she says he’s “a horrible father,” but she goes along with the plan anyway. It’s easy to see where the Reynolds get their awful attitudes from, as Frank certainly finds it easy to insult and belittle his own daughter in admittedly entertaining ways.
Dee Reynolds:
“Who Are You? I Step On You. I Clean You Off Of My Shoes At Night. I Step On You, And Then I Throw Away The Shoe. That Shoe That I Just Threw Away, That's Worth More Than Your Worthless Life, Mister.”
Dee gets a much-needed reality check after talking down to a bouncer in the season 3 episode “Frank Sets Sweet Dee on Fire.” She arrogantly thinks she can insult her way into an exclusive party and launches into an offensive monologue after the bouncer asks her if she’s “on the list.”
She ends her gut-busting speech by asking him if his “brain is too tiny to have ideas,” which only leads to the bouncer letting Dennis in and blocking Dee. Her comical reaction caps off the scene in the best way, as despite her best efforts at being mean, she doesn’t get what she wants and ends up feeling embarrassed.
Dennis Reynolds:
“I Swear You Would Be Of More Use To Me If I Skinned You And Turned Your Skin Into A Lampshade.”
No one will ever know exactly how many unspeakable things Dennis has done, but it has been implied that he’s capable of some heinous acts. In the season 10 episode “Psycho Pete Returns,” he creepily warns Dee that he could fashion her “into a piece of high-end luggage” so he could add her to his collection.
An iconic quote soon follows after Dee nervously asks if he has “a collection of skin luggage,” which Dennis finds outrageous and accuses Dee of not having “thought of the smell.” It’s a relatively normal exchange between the twins who are used to hurling abusive words at each other.
The Gang:
“Shut Up, Bird!”
It’s impossible to pinpoint just one scene where the gang makes fun of Dee for looking like a bird. They’ve told her to “shut up” so many times by highlighting her birdlike features and then laughing uncontrollably to drown out her disappointed reaction.
It’s one of the best running gags on the show and there’s even an entire episode where Dee is depicted as a literal ostrich. It may not be the most creative insult, but it’s somehow among the most gut-busting ones in the series – viewers can’t be blamed for guffawing along with Mac, Frank, Dennis, and Charlie every single time.