Word every Gracious Individual should know: Esprit de I'escalier
Definition: Esprit de I'escalier (pronounced: e-SPREE des-kal-i-YE); French; noun
1. Used to refer to the fact that a witty remark or retort often comes to mind after the opportunity to make it has passed, 'staircase wit'
Why I love this word:
The meaning of the 'staircase wit' refers to the event when you've had a creative discussion with someone, and in that moment you simply couldn't clearly think of a response until you got to the bottom of the stairs. We're all witty in our own rights. It's just that many of us think of our clever remarks a bit too late.
Photograph by Justin Chung
Definition: Esprit de I'escalier (pronounced: e-SPREE des-kal-i-YE); French; noun
1. Used to refer to the fact that a witty remark or retort often comes to mind after the opportunity to make it has passed, 'staircase wit'
Why I love this word:
The meaning of the 'staircase wit' refers to the event when you've had a creative discussion with someone, and in that moment you simply couldn't clearly think of a response until you got to the bottom of the stairs. We're all witty in our own rights. It's just that many of us think of our clever remarks a bit too late.
Photograph by Justin Chung
