Ever thought of the perfect comeback, but thought of it way too late? Then you’ve got a case of staircase wit.
kaapie [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
a sensitive man, such as myself, overwhelmed by the argument levelled against him, becomes confused and can only think clearly again [when he finds himself] at the bottom of the stairs
The French phrase that Diderot used, l’esprit de l’escalier, is where we get the English phrase.
Categories: Language
The Generalist
I live in Auckland, New Zealand, and am curious about most things.
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