choice word

In its original use, choice words referred to spoken or written text that was deemed excellent and admirable. The current idiomatic uses arose by ironic inversion.

choice word (plural choice words)

1. Something said bluntly in a scornful, often profane, manner.
   • 2006, Michael Karol, Sitcom Queens: Divas of the Small Screen, page 96:

     that was because many of the people who lived there were such funny, sassy ladies who had a choice word or ten about every aspect of the others' lives.

   • 2013, Tony Parker, The Frying Pan: A Prison and Its Prisoners:

     ... this damn book, and I looked at it and I still remember it was Rapoport's Community As Doctor: New Perspectives On A Therapeutic Community. I've often thought since that if I ever met Dr.Rapoport, I'd have a choice word or two to say to him.

   • 2019 April 1, “Cove Rangers made to work hard for vital win against Wick Academy”, in The Press and Journal, Scotland:

     No doubt Cove Rangers manager John Sheran had a choice word or two with his players at the break after a rather lacklustre first-half performance.

   • 2019 September 23, Jeff Wilson, “End-of-season skid hasn’t been pretty for the Rangers. But don’t call them quitters”, in Fort Worth Star-Telegram‎:

     Lynn had one choice word in particular to describe the cries that the Rangers are quitting. It’s often seen in large piles at Lone Star Park.

Almost always used in the plural, or in a plural sense.

• “a few choice words phrases” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.