Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Invented by someone French.

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reprise d'escalier

Action replay when your wits desert you
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The French have the phrase "esprit d'escalier": "staircase wit", which describes the frequent case where one comes up with the perfect phrase after leaving, usually half way down the stairs.

There's room for a personal but anonymous service to deliver these nuggets: I can almost see the squad of 1930-style bellhops pressing doorbells and shouting bons mots through letterboxes. There's not much that can go wrong with this - the commonest failure mode would create a small puzzlement and confusion, but in a sweet way.

james_what, Apr 29 2008

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       Do we think persons who are the product of modern education systems will have the wit to undertand when they have been cleverly insulted or praised?
Blisterbob, Apr 29 2008
  

       [BB] One must hope for the best.   

       I can see a natural extension of this service: I am off on holiday for a few days and I would like to leave this pearl of innovation in safe hands. Who better?
james_what, Apr 29 2008
  

       Mais oui. {+]
Invente par un Ecossais
AbsintheWithoutLeave, Apr 29 2008
  

       Bien sur, comme tous les autres.
james_what, Apr 29 2008
  
      
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