Have you ever thought of the best comeback only after it was too late? Right before bed, while taking a shower or standing in an elevator, you get your light-bulb moment: “Ahh, why didn't I think of it before?” The French even came up with a term for that, l'esprit de l'escalier—the spirit of the staircase—and it means that the perfect retort arises only when it doesn't matter anymore.
However, this does not apply to everyone. A select few have the superpower of coming up with snappy one-liners on the spot, and the r/CleverComebacks subreddit is the site to go for these legendary comments. As the moderators put it, “If someone just got shown up, this is the place to post it.“
So make sure to scroll down and upvote your favorite retorts! And if you can't get enough of snappy comebacks, make sure to check out Bored Panda's previous posts here, here and here.
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He Was Asking For It!
If you'd like to share a post on the “Clever Comebacks“ subreddit page, there's a few rules you need to follow. Firstly, you should know what a witty comment is. According to the moderators, it's “responses to someone that, for lack of a better word, roasts them.” Also, baseless insults, tasteless jokes, “no, u” style replies are what they call garbage content, and nobody likes them.
When you think about it, the only obvious goal when trying to think of a snappy comeback is to get a good laugh and share your original thought. And the same applies to real-life situations. If you hate those awkward moments when your friends or coworkers throw you a snide comment and everything that comes to your mind just sounds lame, don't worry. In real life, not many people can be as clever as Dr. House or Chandler Bing, but there's a few ways you can improve your reactions and become wittier.
Bless This Woman
One of the things that could make you better is the world of improv acting. When it comes to showing your wit, timing is everything. The reply should be as spontaneous as the words that took you by surprise. One way of improving would be to become a better active listener. As Abigail Paul, workshop facilitator and training developer, told the BBC, “people think faster than others speak, giving the listener “extra time“ to compose an answer, even while they give the appearance of still listening to what the other person is saying.”
Come to think of it, there have been many times when we already wanted to share an idea with the person who's not yet finished talking. “Most of us don't listen to the whole message,” Paul said, “we are just waiting to make our own points.” So if you want to whip out snappy remarks, you should actively listen to what the other person is saying and use the unexpected material she or he gave you.
Not Be A Baby Machine
This Always Makes Me Laugh
Sometimes, when we receive a biting remark, we might feel offended. Belina Raffy, a business improvisation consultant, said that negative comments usually come from a place of insecurity. So when it comes to your coworker who constantly tosses you rude remarks, remember that responding positively might ease the pressure and keep projects going smoothly. ”Positive witty comments build trust among colleagues, bosses and subordinates, and they can turn a formerly harsh environment into an accepting one,” Raffy said.
It Was Social Distancing Haha
Clearly this person got their prehistoric knowledge from watching The Flintstones.
They Don't Give A Damn
Can I interest you in some fairtrade organic aloe for that... BURN?!?!?!
Another great tip would be silencing your inner critic: “It’s about letting go of the need to judge ourselves,” Raffy explains. You should try saying what's on your mind without thinking about it. In improv theater, actors try to let go of their inner voice and give in to their “deepest fantasies” in order to say something spontaneous that they would never say in real life.
German History Lesson
- printing press - light bulb - telephone - tape recorder - turntable - mp3 - tv - first freely programmable computer - generator - automobile - jet engine - helicopter - jeans - toothpaste - periodic table of elements - theory of relativity - x-rays - nuclear fission - bacteriology - aspirin Just to name a few.
Oof. That Burn Needs Some Love
Someone Needs A Refresher On Anatomy
Let's not forget the brands that make clever comebacks a key part of their communication with customers. One obvious example is the fast-food chain Wendy's and their made-up social media holiday—National Roast Day. Their communications team does not hold back when it comes to witty replies in their social channels. The question is, do the customers actually value it?
That's A Good Proof
Got Roasted By A Police Twitter
A survey by Sprout Social suggests that such responses are actually not appreciated by customers. Brand personality should connect your product to its consumers but as it turns out, that's not always the case. Sprout surveyed 1,000 consumers on which traits they want brands to share on social media and what action behaviors like humor or friendliness cause.
It Is Funny But True
Yep May Be It Is True
It's not illegal to seek asylum. Also, documented immigrants have lower rates of committing violent, property, or drug crimes than native-born citizens. Undocumented immigrants have rates even lower than them. The anti-immigrant, xenophobic fear-mongering that happens here is ridiculous and repulsive. Here's the research if anyone needs to educate friends or family: https://www.pnas.org/content/117/51/32340
Whatever Your Weakness, There's A Hellion To Exploit It
do you think Jeff has anymore d*** rockets? I need to get off this planet, permanently
It seems that “three-quarters of consumers surveyed believe there’s value in brands exhibiting humor on social but only one-third actually want brands to bring on the snark full force.” The majority of consumers buy from brands that are honest, helpful and friendly. “It turns out that at the end of the day, consumers want brands to use social as a customer care channel”, Sprout explains. So while this kind of risky brand personality offers you a great deal of exposure, it seems that it's actually bad for business.
Elon Musk Gets Destroyed By Facts And Logic
For me space is like the exit door after you totally trashed the room you are in. Oh well, gonna find me some more rooms to mess up...
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It represents the hope that one day we will be able to launch the rich idiots like Elon Musk off our planet on a one-way trip to a glaxay far far away. They won't be able to take their money with them and it can be seized to do some good for the planet. Bye Elon.
Perfect!!! And just for that >>Your>>> Prize >>>> https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=bill+murray+singing+star+wars+theme&view=detail&mid=23C6AFB8B3D4C53A587223C6AFB8B3D4C53A5872&FORM=VIRE And you will Love It
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My home on planet Earth, the animals, the plants, the oceans, lakes, rivers, that represents hope for me. We need to preserve what is left after it has been overexploited.
Thank you, yes, EXACTLY this. We have the absolute perfect planet, optimal in every way. Maybe fix this one first? Maybe nobody in the whole entire world needs to be a billionaire ever? Just maybe, I’m just thinking here.
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The only hope that Space holds for me is that Elon and all the other Billionaire Space Cowboys will some how get lost up there and not make it back down to Earth.
When rich people think that they have an alternative for planet Earth.
This man is just so pathetic. When he was critized his new factory near Berlin will cause serious problems with the groundwater in that region he just simply laughed and replied "This region has so much water. Just look around you, there's water everywhere.Does this seem like a desert to you? That's ridiculous." and kept on laughing like a maniac. This guy is an unbelievable moron. Watch from minute 2:20 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KZNrNwQ92ys
Space travel and the science behind it is INCREDIBLY beneficial to the human race.
yo i work for tesla and it is not ill gotten for sure.Space is not a bad venture and is a shining hope for humanity.Check your facts before beleiving this b******t.
How about instead of spending billions to go into space, you use those billions to actually improve the planet we already have?
Alternative view. These guys realise, that despite even the best efforts, we've destroyed the planet beyond repair. It's already too late and now we need plan B. Plan B is finding and making another celestial body habitable for Earth's flora and fauna, otherwise we're all dead. Extinct.
I applaud Zacks reply and I also question Elon Musk's remark. What actual HOPE does space represent? Hope for what? Living? Unaffordable Vacations? A new Dump sight? Exactly what am I missing here?
*rich people meeting* "so... we have billions of dollars." "Yep" "so what should we do with it?" "Well, there are people that are homeless and hungry and women are demanding pockets... so let's race to space." Jeff: "I call riding a giant genial!"
Zack, you just attacked space. In the form of the idea of investing money in developing technology and space exploration as "an extravagant dk measuring contest" and not "remotely helpful." So ... there is that!
I feel, after reading some of these comments, that i should apologize somehow..... but i get a kick out of Elon Musk, i just really like the dude. Besides, its his money, He can spend it anyway he wants. Why should he have to clean up everyone else's messes because he has the money? I like that he spends it on space exploration. It's an important element that America has just given up on!!!
I am in awe of musk because it's unfathomable to me how anyone is that thirsty for attention and adoration. He keeps trying to pass himself off as the new nikola tesla when he's not even a cut rate edison. The whole thing reeks of desperation.
Jeff Bezos helped to create over $860 Billion for those that invested in HIS company. Don't be salty that you gave yours to a politician.
These ideas that those two exploit their workforce or don't give to charity me. They employ many, many people and a true act of charity is anonymous. I am certain that they give.
Barking up the wrong tree. SpaceX is already contributing to science, and that with reuseable rockets. But yeah, continue to show off your small minds on a medium created by scientists doing "useless" particle physics science.
I can´t afford to leave this planet so space means nothing but something nice to see at night.
This is neither factual nor logical. Space represents hope for mankind (not just for America) and the progress that came from the original space race has improved our lives immeasurably ever since. If governments are too busy making war and we need billionaires to start a new space race, I'll hold their coats.
Elon is a pampered, spoiled brat who can't see the worth in helping REAL people.
How do you know he doesn’t make charitable donations that we don’t know about?
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BOOM! Go Zack. I agree with him. It’s so unfortunate we can’t unite as a human species. But if we do there is a lot of things to address down here on our pretty blue planet before we look to the stars
When you try to shame capitalism, you often end up making a fool of yourself... Just like mr Hunt did.
At least the billionaires are spending money on something, that although frivolous, does create good jobs
Space only represents hope to those rich enough to buy a ticket out of here after they're done trashing our world for personal gain. Us "poors" get to be left behind to deal with the environmental destruction they caused, while they have the hope of flying to a new location.
Time for a revolution to take away the stolen money that made these billionaires
Simple Math To Hard
Lastly, for a clever comeback to be considered great, it has to be honest. "The best retorts speak truth — when a person calls something that the other people didn't see," said Paul. "That's generally what makes us laugh." So if you think of a clever comeback that's piercingly accurate and say it right there on the spot, you feel absolutely great because you know that you've earned it.
True Perfection Has Been Achieved
Old But Gold
Congratulations to Australia for deporting her when she acted like a brat about quarantining.
Accessible Parking, But Only During Office Hours
I Swear It Was On
Jesus Statues vs. Police State
Finnally A Manager Making A Comeback
Found This While Browsing Instead Of Sleeping
Would You Like Some Whine With That?
F*cking Sheep
English Unchanged
He Makes A Good Point
Technically He Spoke Genders Into Existence Because By His Very Word He Can Create
I Prayed For Help And God Sent Doctors With The Vaccine, I Said "No Thanks, I'm Waiting For God To Help Me"
One For The Burn Ward
Mindy Kaling Shuttin’ ‘Em Down
Not Sure What Is The Objective Is Here?
Nasa Is Untrustworthy
It Really Is The Churches Motto Tho
The Real Deal
even if he stays out of the emergency room (which he should) he'll still impact others, either by transmitting the disease to the vulnerable or to spread misinformation.
She Seems So Dumb
I'll pay 38 dollars for a burrito if it means someone is able to pay their bills
Why Do Some People Want Others To Have It Bad Cruz They Had ? Hope This Isn't Already Here
why is there such a big obsession with the military, I mean killing others or getting yourself killed is hardly a good thing
I'm Not A Gamer For Nothing
Look I Made A Joke
you can't spell stupid without u, except this probably isn't a coincidence
Does Jlo Have A Reply To That?
In 1919 And 1920, At The Very Start Of His Career, Tolkien Worked On The Staff Of The Oxford English Dictionary; He Later Said Of This Time That He “.. Learned More In Those Two Years Than In Any Other Equal Period Of My Life”
It Works Both Ways!
honestly pack your bags and leave, save your husband the trouble
He Wants The Ring Please
Don’t Mistake Empathy For Weaknesses
Getting Schooled
how do people who barely managed a high school degree get into parliament?
Fake Incest Go!
State Representative Got Owned!
It disgusts me to my core when adults use children to further their political or personal ideology.
We Need No Masks Because Viruses Are Not Real
I hope she always uses either abstinence or D*ck masks to avoid reproduction.
Not Sure If This Has Been Posted Here Yet, Sorry If It Has Been
I don't understand how forcing existing characters to be queer is a sign of inclusion. To me that's like making a Jane Bond and giving yourself a pat on the shoulder for being so inclusive.
Note: this post originally had 88 images. It’s been shortened to the top 51 images based on user votes.
At least not all people are terrible. You seem pretty chill.
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This is like a rollercoaster ride. As my faith in humanity gets eroded away by the amount of idiocy on display, I am also thoroughly entertained by the burns that followed and hence replenished enough of said lost faith.
I love a good clever comeback . What I don't love is social media articles aimed at scorning different sets of people , dividing them and causing fighting that has escalated beyond the phone or computer screen. When you talk down to people because they hold different beliefs than you , it's not a clever comeback ... it's being a jerk. Stop falling victim to social media click bait tactics . Start being kind to one another
Already seen most of those before on bored panda. Stop posting the same stuff just to write articles
In my opinion, communism has never actually been established. There have been many nations claiming to be communist (USSR, China, North Korea) but they never actually were. It is my thought that the only way it can actually be established is not by revolution and declaring a change of economy but rather the evolution of capitalism. Of course human greed will make this a very hard thing to do.
Nice try comrade. I guess the Nazis just didn't the whole nazism really right
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So f**k off and go and masturbate over Fox News then.
Load More Replies... At least not all people are terrible. You seem pretty chill.
Load More Replies... This is like a rollercoaster ride. As my faith in humanity gets eroded away by the amount of idiocy on display, I am also thoroughly entertained by the burns that followed and hence replenished enough of said lost faith.
I love a good clever comeback . What I don't love is social media articles aimed at scorning different sets of people , dividing them and causing fighting that has escalated beyond the phone or computer screen. When you talk down to people because they hold different beliefs than you , it's not a clever comeback ... it's being a jerk. Stop falling victim to social media click bait tactics . Start being kind to one another
Already seen most of those before on bored panda. Stop posting the same stuff just to write articles
In my opinion, communism has never actually been established. There have been many nations claiming to be communist (USSR, China, North Korea) but they never actually were. It is my thought that the only way it can actually be established is not by revolution and declaring a change of economy but rather the evolution of capitalism. Of course human greed will make this a very hard thing to do.
Nice try comrade. I guess the Nazis just didn't the whole nazism really right
Load More Replies... So f**k off and go and masturbate over Fox News then.
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