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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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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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Parrysoundbite

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: pary/sownd/byte

Sentence: Barry needed dental surgery after his latest parrysoundbite which of course went unheard

Etymology: parry (retort) + Parry Sound (Ontario town) + sound bite (hence gnashing of teeth)

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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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Postwit

AnnieChandon

Created by: AnnieChandon

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Delaverbovery

Created by: Jaxies

Pronunciation: /duh-luh-vurb-of-eree/

Sentence: "It was only five hours later that Chris thought of the perfect comeback to Andy's snide remark that 'you couldn't shag a sheep if you tried'. A perfect case of delaverbovery."

Etymology: Delay + verb + recovery

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Retorture

Created by: Erikv

Pronunciation: re tort chur

Sentence: He knew he thought of a gem with the "jerk store" line but she was gone and he was left with retorture.

Etymology: Combination of retort and torture

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Gigglelag

Created by: Sed8ed

Pronunciation: gig-el-lag

Sentence: Gigglelag was a familiar state of affairs for Mark, who always found himself tongue-tied (?) until well after the argument was over.

Etymology: giggle + lag = gigglelag

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Retortoise

karenanne

Created by: karenanne

Pronunciation: re TOR tus

Sentence: "Oh yeah? I'm a b----? Well, uh, uh, I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter!" she retortoised, as he disappeared from view.

Etymology: retort + tortoise

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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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Shouldasaiditis

Created by: Osomatic

Pronunciation: should + ah + said + itis

Sentence: I always end up with shouldasaiditis when I think of an awesome retort 5 minutes later.

Etymology: should have said + itis

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COMMENTS:

Gotta hand it to the -itis suffix again. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-03: 17:30:00

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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