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.
Tortard
Created by: zrotv
Pronunciation: tōr'tärd
Sentence: Her insult was witty and cutting. I dug deep in my repertoire for an equally eloquent response, not wanting to defer to simple comments about her mother. Finally it came and I released it to the now distant and distancing back of her head. My lack of haste had resulted in the ever embarrassing tortardation. My weak totard fizzled on absent ears. Why, oh why, was I doomed to tortardation?! (slang, pejorative, adj.: retortarded)
Etymology: retort (To reply, especially to answer in a quick, caustic, or witty manner) + retard / tard (To be delayed. Latin retardāre : re- + tardāre, to delay (from tardus, slow))
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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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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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
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)
Latealine
Created by: Dolraith
Pronunciation: Late-a-line
Sentence: The next day I had a latealine to her remark...
Etymology:
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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Duedefence
Created by: fantomex
Pronunciation: dew-deff-enss
Sentence: It was when I came up with an obvious duedefence that I realized how stupid I am in arguments.
Etymology: due - overdue // defence - defence or defend
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:
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