Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. A clever remark, especially a "comeback line" to an insult, which does not come to mind until it is too late to be delivered; often leads to the gnashing of teeth. v. To think of something clever after it's too late.
Verboticisms
Click on each verboticism to read the sentences created by the Verbotomy writers, and to see your voting options...
You have two votes. Click on the words to read the details, then vote your favorite.
Repartardy
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: re-par-tar-dy
Sentence: Mike could only deliver brilliant repartardy to his mirror long after his guests had gone. He longed to be quick and witty; however, he was tongue-tied while he was being verbally filleted by his friends' good natured bantering. As the Japanese proverb says: "He had many knives -- none of them sharp."
Etymology: repartee: swift, witty reply; a conversation marked with the exchange of witty retorts + tardy: arrive or occur after the expected time
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COMMENTS:
:) - galwaywegian, 2009-10-20: 12:47:00
Cutting and pointed! - Nosila, 2009-10-21: 01:25:00
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Numback
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: nəmbak
Sentence: She cut him to the quick with her biting remark. All he had was a numback. Like the line from the Three Stooges, ”I’m trying to think but nothing happens”, He’s trying to speak but nothing happens.
Etymology: numb (deprive of feeling or responsiveness) + comeback (a quick reply to a critical remark)
Substingstuff
Created by: ajcor
Pronunciation: substingstuff
Sentence: she devastated him with her oneliner about his mono brow but this time he was ready for the cruel witticism and was able to substingstuff right back at her.
Etymology: subsequent to+clever, smart, sting+remark,statement,content,stuff.
Dissafter
Created by: Bulletchewer
Pronunciation: diss-aff-ter
Sentence: Dolly had already left the room before Molly had thought of the perfect dissafter; that she was like so whatever...
Etymology: From "diss" meaning "disrespect", "after" and "disaster".
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COMMENTS:
nice word - petaj, 2007-04-03: 03:48:00
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Verbotomissed
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: ver bott ommm ist
Sentence: He verbotomissed madly as she strutted into the dissedance
Etymology: vertobotomy, missed
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COMMENTS:
Verbotombest! - Nosila, 2009-10-21: 01:23:00
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Retrotort
Created by: caroline73
Pronunciation:
Sentence:
Etymology: combines retro - after the event - and retort.
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COMMENTS:
Good word. I bet if you put in the time to include a sample sentence, you might get a few more votes. - ErWenn, 2007-04-04: 01:15:00
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Disslate
Created by: arlouxo
Pronunciation: diss/lay/te
Sentence: "UGH! I disslated again Sophie!" "That is the best disslate I ever thought of!"
Etymology: Diss ("comeback line" to insult back someone) & Late
Resputtal
Created by: mplsbohemian
Pronunciation: ree-SPUHT-uhl
Sentence: Alex choked on his resputtal of "Then I'll be sure to clear out my night schedule," a full hour after hearing, "I wouldn't give you the time of day."
Etymology: rebuttal + sputter
Lagbuttal
Created by: ErWenn
Pronunciation: /ˌlæɡˈbətl̩/
Sentence: Oddly enough, the infuriation factor of a lagbuttal seems to be inversely proportional to the length of time since the missed opportunity.
Etymology: From lag + rebuttal
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COMMENTS:
Def should be in common use. - imcvey, 2007-04-03: 05:49:00
Thanks. - ErWenn, 2007-04-04: 01:14:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by mplsbohemian.
Thank you mplsbohemian! ~ James
mplsbohemian - 2007-04-03: 11:13:00
Thanks for using the definition! I specifically chose it because the French expression for this is notoriously difficult to succinctly translate into English. Perhaps you guys can help! Peace Clint
Ah oui, "l'ésprit de l'escalier"... Merci pour la suggestion, mplsbohemian ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by mplsbohemian. Thank you mplsbohemian. ~ James