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.
Wittischism
Created by: pinwheel
Pronunciation: wit/i/skiz/um
Sentence: John's wittischism was particularly acute as he replayed the argument in his mind three hours after the event.
Etymology: witticism (a clever remark) + schism (a division or break - in this case the break between the desire to retort and the actual thinking of the retort.
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COMMENTS:
a clever cut... - ajcor, 2007-04-03: 18:00:00
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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:
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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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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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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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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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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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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Requipmentfailure
Created by: porsche
Pronunciation: ree/quip/ment/fayl/ur
Sentence: He was constantly plagued by requipmentfailure.
Etymology: re (regarding) + equipment failure + quip
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