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'Nothing clever to say?'

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.

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Verboticisms

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Lagquip

Created by: jedijawa

Pronunciation: lag-quip

Sentence: Bill could usually be counted on to come up with a lagquip - meaning that it was always a little too late to use it.

Etymology: lag + quip

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Communiclation

Created by: pauliewog

Pronunciation: cuh-mune-i-clay-shun

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Retalilate

Created by: Stevenson0

Pronunciation: ri/tal/ee/late

Sentence: He could always retalilate to her sharp witted put downs, but only a few hours after her verbal slap.

Etymology: retaliate + late

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COMMENTS:

great word!! - Jabberwocky, 2007-04-03: 08:39:00

That's a good one! - jedijawa, 2007-04-03: 11:39:00

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Missdiss

Created by: Insatori

Pronunciation: Miss diss

Sentence: Your response to her insult was genious, but you hesitated and missdissed.

Etymology:

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Retorture

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: ree tort chur

Sentence: Drew always became tongue-tied after the tart-tongued Ramona passed him by at school and made one of her blistering comments to him. It was only after she departed that he would think of something clever in return. This retorture replayed like a video in his head all night. He was so busy trying to be the witty racontuer that he failed to realize that she only did this to get his attention because she liked him.

Etymology: Retort (a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)& Torture (torment emotionally or mentally;the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean)

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Verbotoolate

Created by: galwaywegian

Pronunciation: ver bott oooo late

Sentence: He verbotoolated wildly as she walked out of earshot.

Etymology: verbotomy, too late

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COMMENTS:

I just thought of a great word for yesterday's definition. Is it verbotoolate? - wordmeister, 2007-04-03: 11:53:00

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Requipmentfailure

Created by: porsche

Pronunciation: ree/quip/ment/fayl/ur

Sentence: He was constantly plagued by requipmentfailure.

Etymology: re (regarding) + equipment failure + quip

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Retortoise

Created by: rikboyee

Pronunciation: re-tor-tus

Sentence: Finally, at 2am , he thought of a retortoise

Etymology: retort, tortoise

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COMMENTS:

petaj another excellent one. I expect you may get a few comments that are retortoises - but they won't be posted for a few days :-) - petaj, 2007-04-03: 03:56:00

Sublime - pinwheel, 2007-04-03: 03:58:00

retortuous! - galwaywegian, 2007-04-03: 05:16:00

dang! I must arise earlier! - Alchemist, 2007-04-03: 05:41:00

fantasic - imcvey, 2007-04-03: 05:48:00

hareraisingly funny - Jabberwocky, 2007-04-03: 08:45:00

erasmus damn thats too good. - erasmus, 2007-04-03: 09:27:00

I thought of that too, but not until 3:30am... - wordmeister, 2007-04-03: 10:04:00

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Postrip

Created by: Alchemist

Pronunciation: POHST-rip

Sentence: As usual, Jimmy thought of a perfect postrip 2 days after Jeanine called him a lackwit: "I know you are, but what am I?"

Etymology: postscript, post (after), rip (as in to rip on someone verbally).

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Retorlate

erasmus

Created by: erasmus

Pronunciation: re toor layt

Sentence: Colin was always just a bit retorlate when trying to look cool if someone tried to put him down

Etymology: from retort and late

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COMMENTS:

I like this word - ajcor, 2007-04-03: 18:06:00

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-03: 00:01:00
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

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-03: 11:45:00
Ah oui, "l'ésprit de l'escalier"... Merci pour la suggestion, mplsbohemian ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2009-10-20: 03:48:00
Today's definition was suggested by mplsbohemian. Thank you mplsbohemian. ~ James