Famous “Put downs” (Put downs by the famous)
Have you ever found yourself lost for words only to replay the conversation in your mind later and think, “Now I wish I had said that!”? The French have a phrase for it: l’Esprit d’escalier – “The spirit that passes on the staircase”.
Some people have a gift that allows them to respond to other people remarkably quickly and often with humour.
Enjoy Will and Guy’s examples
It’s so clean out here. [Los Angeles]
That’s because they don’t throw their garbage away. They turn it into television shows: Woody Allen
I liked your opera. Perhaps I will set it to music: Mozart
About a play at the theatre:
There was a good bit about half way through when we all ate ice-cream.
Blackadder to his servant Baldrick taken from the TV series:
Ah – it’s time for us to meet our maker – in my case God, in your case, God knows.
God is supposed to have made man in his own image. It would be a great shock to Christians everywhere if God looked anything like you, Baldrick.
Responses from comedians, being heckled, on stage
a) Comedy is my job. You’re interrupting; do you want me to come round your work tomorrow and hide your broom?
b) Isn’t it a school night?
c) Don’t clap on your own; someone will throw you a fish.
d) Hello… what have you come as?
From the Armed Services references
a) He would be out of his depth in a car park puddle.
b) A room temperature IQ.
c) This young lady has delusions of adequacy.
d) She sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
