Gov. Nikki Haley has incensed South Carolina legislators by suggesting people need to take a shower after talking to them.

On Tuesday, Haley told a group of Realtors that they should "take a good shower" after leaving the Statehouse. Her comments are heard early in a 25-minute video of her speech that her office posted on YouTube. The comments come amid a debate between Haley and fellow Republicans over how to fund road construction.

House Speaker Jay Lucas took the chamber floor Wednesday to say such insults are inappropriate and unhelpful, likening them to middle-school antics.

Haley spokeswoman Chaney Adams said Wednesday that the governor has made similar comments for the past decade and stands by them. Adams said the comments weren't personal and that there was no need for "crocodile tears."