Friday, August 05, 2005

Witticism

Witticism, n. A sharp and clever remark, usually quoted, and seldom noted; what the Philistine is pleased to call a "joke."

2005 Update: A product of the mind and lungs more precise and efficient than opinion but less so than breath.

Happy Birthday to Actonbell!

20 comments:

Sar said...

Witticism: dominating Doug's prose, it often has to compete with sarcasm.

Happy Birthday Actonbell! :)

Unknown said...

Witticism- Fodder provided by speech writers to help make TV talk show hosts and politicians look like they have the verbal skills to be intelligent.

Doug The Una said...

Ariel and mquest, it sounds like you're both saying that witticism is a weapon for the witless. Sounds right to me.

Sar, I'm afraid my wit and sarcasm are conjoined and share an aorta. Unlike you, I can't be nice and witty at once. Thanks for a kind and clever comment and for helping wish Actonbell a Happy Birthday. She's a sweetheart, no?

Cooper said...

verbal attempt by one person to make others other view him as clever, humorous and smart when in reality it usually does nothing then portray him as the ingenuous individual he is.

Anonymous said...

Something that pops out of ones mouth (okay mine) usually at the most inappropriate time and is always mistaken for sarcasm; because inappropriately and unknown to one (me) it is

dddragon said...

Witticism: the sport of entertainers and politicians. Greatly enjoyed when participants fail.

Minka said...

witticism,n. The act of educating a witch

TLP said...

The pure and simple truth is that witticism must be both quick and wicked to be enjoyed. But as Oscar has told us, The pure and simple truth is rarely pure,and never simple.

Anonymous said...

Witticism: The art of being brutal and sarcastic at the same time.

Doug The Una said...

a4g, you're a cynical son-of-a-gun but I understand now. You drive the 405. Keep coming by, exorcisms performed daily.

Alice, is it always a him? How about stupid questions. Are those always hims?

Pia, I honor that about you. Innocence and sarcasm are a great and rare combination. Peanut Butter and chocolate used to be like that.

Dddragon, you left out bloggers. May I ask why?

Funny, Monika. Wiccacism?

Tan Lucy, Oscar Wilde? Remember I'm not an educated man, I just play one on this blog. Great quote either way.

Doug The Una said...

MARWA!!! Too cool!

LeMas. said...

witticism-a handy turn of phrase to cover up the fact that you are incapable of carrying on an intelligent conversation. I live my life by this definition.

Lila said...

I just had a couple of beers in honor of actonbell's birthday, so I'm not clever enough at the moment to comment! (That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.)

Doug The Una said...

Masil, I write my blog by it.

Aral, cheers.

TLP said...

Yes, Oscar Wilde. *bowing to his greatness in the art of Witticism.* There is none greater.

Anonymous said...

Religion for the uncommitted.

I wrote my dissertation on Oscar Wilde.
Here's one of his witticisms for Actonbell: To have reached 30 is to have failed in life.

Unknown said...

Cleverness in the ear of the beholder.

dddragon said...

Doug: because we operate in a world of our own, and we will not be sullied by the likes of those pretenders!

Besides, it's so much fun to make fun of them!

Unknown said...

so what happens to half-wits like me?

hap-hap-happy birthday Actonbell :))

Doug The Una said...

TLP, I'd have trouble picking between him, Ben Franklin and Twain but I love all his quotes.

Weirsdo, that's a good one. It felt that way, too.

Yup, Ddragon, the jackasses are there for our entertainment un us for theirs.

Karma, you're no half-wit, but I've always figured that two half-wits make a quarter-wit.