In the etiquette of the Officer/Gentleman Class of the Nineteenth Century, an insult to a man’s wife would follow with that husband slapping the offender. A challenge to a duel was implicit.
The affront would then be resolved on the Field of Honour, where the parties would fight, with sword or pistol, often to the death.
We frown on this behaviour today. Understandably.
Still how do we take responsibility for the gravity of our words? Libel and Slander suits are often litigated between a plaintiff’s attorney and the insurance company’s attorney. An out-of-court settlement, with a non disclosure agreement (NDA) is the rule, rather than the exception.
The absurdity continues.
Dispatches From Dystopia 
we live in an age where there are too many thin-skinned people. Don Rickles made a living out of insulting words. to my knowledge noone ever slapped his face. or sued or boycotted him due to his use of words.
I miss Rickles. He got away with what he said because he didn’t mean any of the outrageous and ridiculous things he said. His was an act.
Even then, there were certain persons or topics that were out of bounds. For example, no one told jokes about Sinatra’s wife.