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
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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
Comeslack
Created by: ziggy41
Pronunciation: (KUHM-slak)
Sentence: He sat in dismay as he had created a perfect comeslack to her nasty remark an hour ago.
Etymology: From "comeback" (a retaliation remark) and "slack" (slow or sluggish).
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COMMENTS:
What every woman wants? - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-03: 17:30:00
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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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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))
Lagquip
Created by: jedijawa
Pronunciation: lag-quip
Sentence: Bill could usually be counted on to come up with a lagquip - meaning that it was always a little too late to use it.
Etymology: lag + quip
Rejoinduh
Created by: CharlieB
Pronunciation: re-join-der
Sentence: Bill's witty riposte to his annoying colleagues came too late. He'd fallen into the humiliating trap of failing to think of a witticism, only a rejoinduh.
Etymology: rejoinder (a reply, a riposte) + uh! (an exclamation used to indicate doubt or hesitation)
Numback
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: nəmbak
Sentence: She cut him to the quick with her biting remark. All he had was a numback. Like the line from the Three Stooges, ”I’m trying to think but nothing happens”, He’s trying to speak but nothing happens.
Etymology: numb (deprive of feeling or responsiveness) + comeback (a quick reply to a critical remark)
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