Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with banter

Wit in Romeo and Juliet

Non Prosequitur — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:50:21 -0800

Romeo & Juliet: I seem to remember a portion in the play where someone exhorts "wit" to help them out, or says they're running out of wit—but I can never find it when look through the stuff. Is it just a false memory, or maybe something mentioned very much in passing? I searched through the text again and maybe Romeo saying, "But 'tis no wit to go" is supposed to have a double meaning (we shouldn't go to the event, I have no wit remaining?)

Mercutio saying, "Come between us, good Benvolio; my wits faint": this just seems very straightforward; I'm looking for an exhortation, or a request of sorts ("help me out, Wit!")

How do I climb out of my shell online?

doubtful_guest — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:41:13 -0800

How can I be more myself writing online? I’m a quiet person, but I do have a good sense of humor and I’m quick-witted. I can be a good conversationalist. When I write online, though, I snap back into an academic mindset, and I have a hard time thinking of banter, or even decent conversation. I can write to my close friends and be charming and funny, but that’s because they’re in my head and I’m drawing off of their personalities. What are some ways to stop being that stuffy English literature/History student when I’m writing? How do I invent that energy that will help pull me out of my own head a bit (you know, that energy you get from talking to an actual live person)?

Pretending that I’m writing to one of my friends doesn’t work, because (especially on MeFi) everyone has pretty distinct personalities and I can’t superimpose my friends’ personalities. Not only would it be rude, but it also just doesn’t work that way in my head. Thanks for you help.

Situational Comments

mpls2 — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:43:10 -0800

What stock banter lines do you keep in your back pocket? I was at a party last night, and a friend of mine was saying that he saw me "running" up some stairs, and he jokingly said I almost knocked over an old lady. I've heard him use the old lady line before, and it got me thinking about these situational bon mots that often come in handy for breaking the ice with someone, and are useful insofar as the situations are fairly common.

Other examples would be someone saying "oh, my ears!" when they hear someone swear, or making a comment about ruby slippers to a cute girl wearing read shoes.

Basically, the question is... give me your situational comments (funny, light-hearted joking ones, not mean ones).

Thanks!

(I also spilled a drink last night, but nobody had a bon mot for that)