riposte

[underused]

riposte
a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism
a quick return thrust in fencing

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I like this word. Its fencing connotation is evocative.

It also reminds me of the French expression l'esprit d'escalier (or the German treppenwitz). Both idioms translate to "staircase wit," describing those frustrating moments when you come up with the perfect riposte only after you've walked away.

Comments

[merikuru]

I've always been fond of l'esprit d'escalier, just because the literal translation makes me giggle. :D

[full_metal_ox]

And here's riposte's sparring partner, repartee (noun):

1. a quick, witty reply.

2. conversation full of such replies.

3. skill in making such replies.

Etymology: 1640s, "quick remark," from French repartie "an answering blow or thrust" (originally a fencing term), noun use of fem. past participle of Old French repartir "to reply promptly, start out again," from re- "back" (see re- ) + partir "to part, depart, start" (see part (n.)). In 17c. often spelled reparty (see -ee ). Meaning "a series of sharp rejoinders exchanged" is from 1680s.

(Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper)