Definition & Meaning of "son of a whore"in English

What is the origin of the term "son of a whore" and how is it used?

"Son of a whore" is a vulgar insult used to describe a person regarded as contemptible or morally reprehensible. It comes from the older English and European tradition of attacking someone's parentage to imply shame or dishonor, with "whore" specifically targeting the mother as sexually immoral. The phrase has been in use for centuries in both spoken and literary English and is often delivered in anger, ridicule, or dramatic insult. It is strongly derogatory, offensive, and personal, intended to attack both the individual and their family reputation.