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.
Retrozinger
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: REH-tro-zyng-ir
Sentence: Several minutes after being Zapped with a major insult by Miriam, Leonard thought of a great comeback and wished he could go back and whack her with a retrozinger, convinced he would then be a 'winner'.
Etymology: Blend of 'retro' (prefix meaning 'backward : back') and 'zinger' (n. something causing or meant to cause interest, surprise, or shock)
Tardytort
Created by: PythianHabenero
Pronunciation: tar-dee-tort
Sentence: A half hour after being wittily insulted, Andrew came up with the best tardytort he'd ever heard.
Etymology: "tardy" as in late and "retort" as in comeback.
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)
Communiclation
Created by: pauliewog
Pronunciation: cuh-mune-i-clay-shun
Sentence:
Etymology:
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
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
----------------------------
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
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
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Gotta hand it to the -itis suffix again. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-03: 17:30:00
----------------------------
Retorlate
Created by: erasmus
Pronunciation: re toor layt
Sentence: Colin was always just a bit retorlate when trying to look cool if someone tried to put him down
Etymology: from retort and late
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
I like this word - ajcor, 2007-04-03: 18:06:00
----------------------------
Verbotomissed
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: ver bott ommm ist
Sentence: He verbotomissed madly as she strutted into the dissedance
Etymology: vertobotomy, missed
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Verbotombest! - Nosila, 2009-10-21: 01:23:00
----------------------------
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