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.
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
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)
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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Rejoinduh
Created by: CharlieB
Pronunciation: re-join-der
Sentence: Bill's witty riposte to his annoying colleagues came too late. He'd fallen into the humiliating trap of failing to think of a witticism, only a rejoinduh.
Etymology: rejoinder (a reply, a riposte) + uh! (an exclamation used to indicate doubt or hesitation)
Retorlate
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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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:
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
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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Waiticism
Created by: urbanwookie
Pronunciation: way-tiss-ism
Sentence: As he smashed the last plate in the restaurant, Chris suddenly discovered the waiticism he had needed to parry the waiter's razor-sharp repartee...
Etymology: wait -> witticism
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COMMENTS:
nicely weighted! - galwaywegian, 2007-04-03: 05:18:00
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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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Ifonlyism
Created by: imcvey
Pronunciation: if-only-ism
Sentence: That ifonlyism would have floored her.
Etymology:
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