Søren Kierkegaard (left) and Hans Lassen Martensen (right)

Søren Kierkegaard earned the nickname “The Fork” in his youth, due to his ability to identify an opponent’s weaknesses and stick it to him. Generally this took the form of surgical strikes from his rapier-sharp wit, but occasionally he could bluntly lob a cannonball, as well.

When moved to frustration in his debates with Hans Lassen Martensen, Kierkegaard dismissed him by stating, “My opponent is a glob of snot.”