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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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Smilation

Created by: uhhuhokay

Pronunciation: smahyl-ley-shun

Sentence: my smilation as usual only came to me as I wathced her leave the restaurant.

Etymology:

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Postwit

AnnieChandon

Created by: AnnieChandon

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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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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Longliner

Created by: jonobo

Pronunciation: longliner

Sentence: If i only could make those longliner come earlier somehow... ...maybe i simply should invent a quicker way to transmit my thoughts through my speech-centre to my tongue... perhaps i am a rare patient of longuetonguelitis.

Etymology: long + line = message comes late.

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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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Frappart

Created by: astraea22

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Unaquipvent

Created by: suzanne

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Lateslate

Created by: Discoveria

Pronunciation: layte-slayte

Sentence: My lateslate "No, your mother's a gas-guzzling user-unfriendly air polluter!" came to me only three minutes later - when the damage had already been dished out.

Etymology: Late + slate (to insult)

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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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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

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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