Assault no. 2

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

But yes, as you say, it's self defense and anything else would be horrible. I am rather sure PVC meant just that though, it just came out wrong.

I don't mean in the sense of "HA EVIL BROWN MAN, SEE HOW I SMASH YOUR TEETH".

What I meant was, "If you attack someone then you deserve to get punched and if you end up spitting teeth it's no one's fault but your own." So literal retribution - he assaulted you, from behind, and you hit him in response.

Which is the same as self defence, the nuance is that self defence implies (in England at least) that you should feel bad.