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.
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
Lollyjesting
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: lälējesting
Sentence: Harry*s repartee could use some tuning. He can generally think of something witty to say in response to another*s comment but his timing is a little off. His sexual innuendo was far less effective and just a little creepy once the group*s conversation had shifted from girlfriends to in-laws. His lollyjesting will often garner a responce of **Huh?**.
Etymology: lollygag (spend time aimlessly; idle) + jesting (a thing said or done for amusement; a joke)
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)
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).
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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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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Ifonlyism
Created by: imcvey
Pronunciation: if-only-ism
Sentence: That ifonlyism would have floored her.
Etymology:
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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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
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