The noun epithet is a descriptive nickname, such as "Richard the Lionhearted," or "Tommy the Terrible." When it takes a turn for the worse, it can also be a word or phrase that offends.
Don’t let epithet’s bad reputation fool you — that’s only half the story. An epithet can be harmless, a nickname that catches on, like all hockey fans knowing that "Sid the Kid" is Sidney Crosby. On the flip side, an epithet can be an abusive word or phrase that should never be used, like a racial epithet that offends and angers everyone.
WORD FAMILY
epithet: epithets
USAGE EXAMPLES
“Indeed, Appling does not allege that he ever heard any overtly racial epithets, such as the ‘N-word,’” she wrote in court documents.
Washington Times(Jan 02, 2017)
One co-worker flung a racial epithet at him.
New York Times(Dec 30, 2016)
Hayes said Hernandez, a white Hispanic who fled the scene, also used racial epithets.
Washington Times(Dec 10, 2016)
1n descriptive word or phrase
Hyper
characterisation, characterization, delineation, depiction, picture, word picture, word-painting
a graphic or vivid verbal description
2n a defamatory or abusive word or phrase
Syn|Hypo|Hyper
name
smear word
an epithet that can be used to smear someone's reputation