L'esprit de l'escalier (or l'esprit d'escalier) (staircase wit) is thinking of a clever comeback when it is too late. The phrase can be used to describe a riposte to an insult or any witty remark that comes to mind too late to be useful—after one has left the scene of the encounter. The phenomenon is usually accompanied by a feeling of regret at not having thought of it when it was most needed or suitable.
The German word Treppenwitz and the Yiddish word trepverter are used to express the same idea. One prominent example of the German term is W. Lewis Hertslet's 1882 book Treppenwitz der Weltgeschichte ("Staircase wit of world history").
The German word Treppenwitz and the Yiddish word trepverter are used to express the same idea. One prominent example of the German term is W. Lewis Hertslet's 1882 book Treppenwitz der Weltgeschichte ("Staircase wit of world history").
From Wikipedia
No comments:
Post a Comment