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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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Numback

artr

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)

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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)

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Substingstuff

Created by: ajcor

Pronunciation: substingstuff

Sentence: she devastated him with her oneliner about his mono brow but this time he was ready for the cruel witticism and was able to substingstuff right back at her.

Etymology: subsequent to+clever, smart, sting+remark,statement,content,stuff.

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Retrotort

Created by: caroline73

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology: combines retro - after the event - and retort.

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COMMENTS:

Good word. I bet if you put in the time to include a sample sentence, you might get a few more votes. - ErWenn, 2007-04-04: 01:15:00

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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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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

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Retorlate

erasmus

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

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COMMENTS:

I like this word - ajcor, 2007-04-03: 18:06:00

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Lollyjesting

artr

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)

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Postwit

AnnieChandon

Created by: AnnieChandon

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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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