Asked by ruth

What are "fighting words"?

Responses

words that would provoke the most sensitive and violent person to have an immediate and explosive reaction

words that would provoke the most sensitive and violent person to have an immediate and explosive reaction

any use of obscene or vulgar speech

any use of obscene or vulgar speech

any criticism of the government

any criticism of the government

words that would provoke a reasonable person to commit an immediate act of violence

words that would provoke a reasonable person to commit an immediate act of violence

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Correct answer: "words that would provoke a reasonable person to commit an immediate act of violence."

Explanation: Under Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire (1942) and later cases, "fighting words" are narrowly defined as words whose very utterance is likely to provoke the average (reasonable) person to an immediate breach of the peace. Mere obscenity, vulgarity, criticism of the government, or insults aimed at an overly sensitive person do not automatically qualify.