Definition

Noun: * A witty remark that occurs to you too late: The frustrating feeling of thinking of the perfect, clever response or comeback only after the conversation has ended and the opportunity to use it has passed. The phrase describes the retort you think of on the way downstairs (l'escalier) after leaving a social gathering.

Usage

This term is used to describe a specific, common social experience. It is often used with verbs like "have," "experience," or "suffer from." It can refer to the remark itself or the overall phenomenon.

Examples

• After the argument, I was plagued by , thinking of all the things I should have said.
• His brilliant came to him an hour after the meeting, which was no help at all.
• She experienced the classic on her drive home, formulating the perfect rebuttal too late.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used in a reflective or regretful context, acknowledging a missed opportunity for wit.
• It can be applied to any situation where a delayed clever thought occurs, not just arguments, but also interviews, dates, or casual conversations.

Variants and Related Words

• Staircase wit: A direct English translation of the French phrase, sometimes used synonymously.
• Afterwit: An older, less common English word with a similar meaning.
• Retrospective cleverness: A descriptive phrase for the same concept.

Synonyms

• Afterthought
• Late comeback
• Delayed retort

Notes

• Etymology: A French loanphrase that literally means "wit of the staircase." It was coined by the French philosopher Denis Diderot.
• Usage Note: It is typically italicized in English writing to indicate its status as a foreign term, though this convention is becoming less strict.

Noun

1. a witty remark that occurs to you too late