Jerk with a Heart of Jerk: He sees himself as this, at one point refusing to look his love interest in the eye because he feels like she can see straight into his head and 'it's not a nice place in there', though that shifts into Jerk with a Heart of Gold all the same, being aware that he is not a really good person and tends to be mean to everyone.

It's also implied that his cynicism is partly due to Farina breaking up with him, as he wasn't nearly as bad before that. When the mood strikes him, he's even capable of being nice to Pig, mainly by keeping him from harsh truths. Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Rat is an asshole, no question, but his anger is occasionally directed at the rude behavior of others and his misanthropy is largely the result of being subjected to hundreds of little annoyances.

Jerkass: Unrepentantly and sometimes proudly so.

Her Code Name Was 'Mary Sue': When he hijacked the strip once, he wrote himself as a 'Raterpillar' who ate every single character in the strip.

Hair-Trigger Temper: In a 2008 strip, he beat up Pig just for doing something completely harmless, yet stupid (drawing his body parts so that if he losers them he can identify them).

Gun Nut: He fought with a Walmartopialand clerk for not selling him a rifle right away with the purchase, as the clerk kept insisting on a waiting period or a detailed analysis of his behavior.

Expy: There are many traits of Rat that fit the late George Carlin, such as his cynicism and threats of violence.

Felony Misdemeanor: says that he will make eating pineapple pizza a felony.

Cynicism Catalyst: It's heavily implied that his break-up with Farina caused him to be even more cynical and spiteful than before, when he wasn't even near being so.

The Cynic: He finds even the slightest bit of optimism as illogical.

Catchphrase: When Pig does something stupid: 'You dumb/stupid Pig!'.

Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: See With Friends Like These.

man-buns, selfie-sticks), people who disagree with him, PUNS DO NOT make stupid, lame, or cheesy puns or he'll beat the crap out of you, like with Stephan Pastis. Some of which include: stupid people, people he sees to be stupid, anyone who does a stupid trend (i.e.

Batter Up!: Rat's weapon is the Louisville Slugger bat, which he's more than happy to use on anyone or anything that draws his ire - usually Stephan Pastis.

Babysitter from Hell: The Baby Blues- Pearls Before Swine crossover strip demonstrated that Rat is, bar none, the absolute worst babysitter that anyone can imagine.

Anti-Hero: He's not the nicest rat you'll ever meet.

He believes himself to be utterly superior to everyone around him and constantly antagonizes and trolls everyone around him. The main character a very cynical rat who is critical of the strip's work and often schemes to get a quick buck.

Pearls and swine comic