What's the word for the pithy retort thought of later?

August 31, 2009 4:14 PM

What's the word for the response, or phrase, or comeback, that you wish you had only thought of at the time?
posted by swlabr to Writing & Language (11 answers total)

Best answer: Staircase wit.
posted by clearly at 4:15 PM on August 31, 2009

Best answer: L'esprit de l'escalier
posted by Daily Alice at 4:16 PM on August 31, 2009

Best answer: L'esprit d'escalier
posted by Maias at 4:16 PM on August 31, 2009

Best answer: L’esprit de l’escalier
posted by clearly at 4:17 PM on August 31, 2009

[ack, mods, I misread the post and flagged it. I am a bad person. Ignore my flag please.]
posted by davejay at 4:17 PM on August 31, 2009

Response by poster: Thanks y'all!

I will think of a good comeback to davejay later!
posted by swlabr at 4:21 PM on August 31, 2009

L'esprit de l'escalier to most, but to some, "jerk store".
posted by modernnomad at 5:15 PM on August 31, 2009 [2 favorites]

For a brilliant example of this, and some really brutal mefite answers, check out this previously
posted by marmaduke_yaverland at 6:25 PM on August 31, 2009

See also: Treppenwitz
posted by Orinda at 7:21 PM on August 31, 2009

Also, by parallel with repartee, departee.
posted by Lexica at 8:33 PM on August 31, 2009 [1 favorite]

I've heard quiptillate.
posted by angiep at 8:36 PM on August 31, 2009