A list of classic British insults and jibes are close to extinction, according to a new survey.

       Words like “plonker”, “prat” and “git” will have died out in a generation, claims research from Perspectus Global.

       In total, 2,000 Brits were asked to name their favourite insults and the researchers found that 15 traditional quips are at risk.

       The study found that some phrases really were on their last legs, such as “lummox”, “bampot”, "blighter" and “ninny”.

       As well as assessing which phrases Brits love to use and scarcely employ, the researchers also asked participants whether they thought people from the UK had a distinctive style when it comes to insults.

       READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson names the world's 'stupidest' airport as fans list their worst

       According to the study, 72 percent of participants agreed, while 81 percent believed that insulting your loved ones was a very British trait.

       That said, around 50 percent of Brits over 40 believed that insults were kinder in tone back in the day.

       The East Anglian slight “lummox” means a clumsy, stupid person, but 62 percent of young Brits hadn’t even heard of it, according to the research.

       “Bambot” is also teetering on the edge of extinction. It’s an old Scottish phrase meaning an obnoxious person, however 60 percent of younger people didn’t know it.

       Don't miss...

       British tourists hit by holiday warning over new EU rule most are 'unaware' of [TRAVEL]

       Brits to sizzle as 25C mercury rockets - exact places set to be hottest [WEATHER]

       Popular Lanzarote beach loved by British tourists closed after sewage spill [TRAVEL]

       Harriet Scott, CEO of Perspectus Global, said of the findings: “Language changes, evolves and moves on. Our research shows that calling someone a plonker or a prat is no longer a fashionable way to insult them.

       “Interestingly, the research highlights the extent to which Brits feel some of the more traditional jibes, feel softer and less severe, than some of today's more controversial ones.

       “It has been fascinating researching thousands of old insults such ‘mooncalf’ which used to mean a fool - or ‘Cozener’ meaning a trickster dating back to Shakespearean England”.