Sticks and Stones May Break Their Bones, But Words Will Cost You $10 Million

See, this is why I prefer to use the term "douchebag" instead of doofus...

Former Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz's less-than-flattering remarks about her fellow board members may have just cost her $10 million.

In her first interview since being fired from the Internet giant, published Thursday, Bartz told Fortune Magazine,

"These people f*ck*d me over," before referring to the other Yahoo board members as "doofuses."

But Bartz, who became the company's CEO in January 2009 and was axed by Yahoo Tuesday, may have made a costly mistake by venting her frustrations in the media.

The ex-CEO had a non-disparagement clause in her employment contact that had $10 million outstanding, sources close to the company told Fortune.

It was likely that her ridiculing "doofuses" comment would have violated that agreement, and she would therefore have to forgo the settlement, people familiar with the matter added.

Okay, douchebags might not have been advised, either.  But perhaps the truth would be an adequate defense -- maybe they are doofuses.