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.
Retart
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: re tart
Sentence: When the Drag Queen sauntered past Drew and asked him what he was looking at, he was dumbstruck. Of course, once he/she was long gone, his retart finally kicked in and he said, "You've got big hands!". He Drew his own conclusions...
Etymology: Retard ( be delayed;slow to develop)& Retort (a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Kind of demeaning to use the R-word. - Koekbroer, 2012-08-02: 00:03:00
----------------------------
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.
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
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
Retortoise
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: re-tor-tus
Sentence: Finally, at 2am , he thought of a retortoise
Etymology: retort, tortoise
----------------------------
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
----------------------------
Gigglelag
Created by: Sed8ed
Pronunciation: gig-el-lag
Sentence: Gigglelag was a familiar state of affairs for Mark, who always found himself tongue-tied (?) until well after the argument was over.
Etymology: giggle + lag = gigglelag
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)
Verbotoolate
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: ver bott oooo late
Sentence: He verbotoolated wildly as she walked out of earshot.
Etymology: verbotomy, too late
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
I just thought of a great word for yesterday's definition. Is it verbotoolate? - wordmeister, 2007-04-03: 11:53:00
----------------------------
Waiticism
Created by: urbanwookie
Pronunciation: way-tiss-ism
Sentence: As he smashed the last plate in the restaurant, Chris suddenly discovered the waiticism he had needed to parry the waiter's razor-sharp repartee...
Etymology: wait -> witticism
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
nicely weighted! - galwaywegian, 2007-04-03: 05:18:00
----------------------------
Retortoise
Created by: karenanne
Pronunciation: re TOR tus
Sentence: "Oh yeah? I'm a b----? Well, uh, uh, I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter!" she retortoised, as he disappeared from view.
Etymology: retort + tortoise
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