What is "badass"

[Blemontea]

A non bodonkadonk or a very non attractive ass. A hindquarter region that- say what... oh that kind of badass

Someone who can do task that normal people would consider difficult or impossible with relative easy and flashiness and come out of the situation with an award winning one liner, pose, or final action. Usually very muscular and carrying an over compensating weapon or the latter
BRUCE CAMPELL
[img src="http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/photosizer/upload/ash101708.jpg"/]

 

[Ken Sapp]

The word "badass" gets thrown around a lot, but I don't know that I've ever heard a firm definition for it. It's always been one of those things that I just know it when I see it, but I don't know how to really explain it.

What say you, Escapists? How would you define the term "badass"? If it helps discussion, go ahead and throw out some prime examples of badasses and let the rest of us know why you consider them to be such a badass.

Self-evident examples:

Sam Elliot
Christopher Walken

A badass has no need to fight in order to prove themselves, but leave anyone stupid enough to provoke them wishing they hadn't.

 

[KefkaCultist]

Referencing biblical verses and than questioning someone's English. Oh, and than killing them.

You win my reference of the day award! (hint: theres actually no award) And that not only makes someone a bad ass, it makes them a bad ass mother fucker.

The epitome of Bad Assery for me Tony Jaa. Go watch The Protector (version with English is kinda meh) and you'll see for yourself.

 

[spartan231490]

See spartan 117

But seriously, it's just a colloquialism for really good/awesome.

 

[9-liner]

badass /bad-ass/; noun: A poorly cooked donkey, or any meal made from donkey flesh that is rotten or spoiled.

 

[Naheal]

Badass is a relative term used to compare things to the below picture. If something is "badass" it is equal to one tenth of the awesome that is the below picture. Hope that clarifies things for you.

I prefer the motivational version of that one.

 

[b1u3too]

Bruce Willis.

Epitome of badassery.

Basically those who do amazing things with maximum style.

Seconded my friend, seconded.

The way he just STEPS out of those cop cars, gawrsh.

Anyone that uses the word gawrsh, by the way, is most certainly not a badass.

 

[Eumersian]

Apparently, according to somebody who knows me by my facebook profile picture and nothing else, me wearing a kilt is badass. Maybe it's about wearing cool things? Doing cool stuff?

 

[Andy of Comix Inc]

I've been hooked on John Woo films since picking up Stranglehold for $5 in a bargain bin, so I felt compelled to post in this thread:
Chun-Yow Fat = badass.

 

[Jyggalag]

To be badass is to be distinctively tough or powerful to a point that it can be intimidating.

 

[Sandjube]

Dunno if it's been said yet.

But Duke Nukem. Chuck Norris wishes.

 

[Havzad]

in my opinion a bad-ass is some who disregards the rules/law in an attempt to achieve a greater good. most bad-asses fit into the chaotic good category,following their own perssonal agenda to both aid others(often indirectly) and himself. At the same time making excruciatingly difficult task seem like trivial walks through the park. a bad ass character always maintains a level of mystery about him.
examples of bad-asses:
kratos(god of war)
Bruce Willis
batman
CJ (San Andreas)
Altair( AC1)
and many more

 

[jawakiller]

look up mad jack churchill
he is the epitome of badass
he took over an entire town during ww2 with just a claymore(the sword kind) and a bow & arrow

Churchill was definitely a bad-ass (he scored the only recorded bow kill in WW2) but anyone ever hear about Simo Häyhä? This guy was why they fucking coined the term (please note: the guy was a fucking midget, coming in at a whoping 5 feet). Simo was a Finnish sniper in the Winter War(USSR vs Finland, 1939-1940) where he was placed in the woods and told to shoot the advancing Soviet Army... Yeah, well he shot over 500 soviet soldiers (not kidding) with a rifle! And the thing didn't even have a fucking scope! He used iron sights!... (not to mention 200 kills with a sub) The Russians were getting fucked by one guy. The Commies even gave him a bad-ass nickname; The White Death. He survived numerous counter-sniper attacks and artillery strikes. And took an explosive to the face and then SURVIVED!!! Half his face was gone but this dude lives on another 60 years! That beats chuck norris any day. If you don't believe me go look it up. Hell, I'm so not making this up.

Note: These kills were all confirmed making Simo have the highest recorded kill count in history. (and i didn't mean to make fun of short people)
Thats the original Bad-ass.

 

[xmbts]

Spoiler: A badass character is one who is cool, calm, and collected, but can wipe out their enemies if they feel like it.

Case in point.