Esprit de l'escalier love

Esprit de l'escalier

Definitions

Sorry, no definitions found. You may find more data at esprit de l'escalier.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word Esprit de l'escalier.

Examples

    Sorry, no example sentences found.

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • Definition:

    A witty remark thought of too late, on the way home; the clever comment you wish you had delivered

    Example:

    "When he bragged about sleeping like a baby, I should have added the bit about waking up crying every two hours, but that's just esprit de l'escalier. At the time I just nodded and said nothing."

    About the Word:

    From the French for "staircase wit," this phrase was coined by 18th century encyclopedist Denis Diderot. As a simpler alternative to esprit de l'escalier, English speakers sometimes use escalator wit.

    September 26, 2012