Deprecated: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-search.inc.php on line 473
The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home
James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
search for

Offensive content Filter is ON

Your search for RETORT returned 156 results.

prev | items
| next

Retort

Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [V300] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classification

Where learned: Hickey, Thelma

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Lies ; Questions ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; TRUTH ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

Person asks a question. You answer:

"What's it to you? You writing a book?"

If the person says "Yes," you say:

"Well, leave this chapter a mystery!"

Data entry tech comment:

 

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Kunnath, Paulette

Keyword(s): BOOK ; Chapter ; COMEBACK ; INSULT ; Mystery ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

Your teeth are like stars. They come out at night.

Submitter comment:

This is a sarcastic retort used when a person has had a sarcastic remark directed towards them.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: Diamond, Sue

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; Night ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; STARS ; TEETH ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

You are so dumb that you could screw up a one-car funeral.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Just the hearse?

Where learned: Matouski, Nat

Keyword(s): Car ; COMEBACK ; Dumb ; Funeral ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

You're outstanding in your field, and that's where you should be - out standing in your field.

Submitter comment:

This is a sarcastic retort used when a person has had a sarcastic remark directed towards them.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Taunt in Prose

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; Diamond, Susan

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

Who do you think you are, anyhow?

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The original title [Wellerism] has been crossed out.

Why not S570? Retort? Yes.

Original BN [V500] crossed out. replaced with current classification.

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Belief: Marriage

Marriage Prediction:

Years ago, when the girls would wash clothes on the washboard and would get the front of their dresses sopping wet, everyone would say that she would marry a drunkard.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [B662] crossed out. Replaced wtih current classifications.

P870 - Omen?

P545 - Belief about Marriage?

They don't believe it, but they say it when the occassion arises

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; Eberspacher, Mary R

Keyword(s): Dishes ; Domestic ; DRUNK ; Duties ; MARRIAGE ; PREDICTION ; Relationship ; RETORT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Marriage
SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

You should be on the stage, it's leaving in ten minutes.

Submitter comment:

This is a sarcastic retort used when a person has had a sarcastic remark directed towards them.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original Title [Taunt in Prose] crossed out. Replaced with current title.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; Diamond, Susan

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

Shut up? I wasn't shut up, I was brought up, and when I think of you I throw up.

Submitter comment:

Collected upon hearing the informant answer someone who told him to shut up.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; Patrick, Richard

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

He thinks he's sharp just because his head comes to a point.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [Z210] crossed out replaced with current classifications.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Bonczyk, Bruce

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

Did your mother have any children that lived?

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Sense?

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

You think you're funny but your face beat you to it.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Put-Down? Taunt?

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Van Damme, Michael

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Funny ; HUMOR ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

"I doubt it"

Submitter comment:

A phrase used by high school students in reply to any question asked of them, particularly when a yes or no answer was involved mostly favoring the affirmative.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

A large question mark is written next to the collector's comment

Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; Kelleher, M R ; LOS ANGELES

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; Doubt ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Proverb

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Submitter comment:

Informant heard this in Detroit, MI

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The question [Proves what?] is written next to the collector comment.

Original BN [S570] crossed out. Replaced with current classifications.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Cissell, Robert Jr

Keyword(s): Appreciation ; COMEBACK ; Generous ; GIFT ; Grateful ; Greedy ; HORSE ; Mouth ; PROVERB ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; TEETH ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula
PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

View just this record

Retort

Does your face hurt? No? Well, it's killing me!

Submitter comment:

Heard it from a friend

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

The original title [Jokes] has been crossed out. Replaced wtih current title.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; Moran, Midge

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; FACE ; Hurt ; INSULT ; Kill ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

When someone says "Go to Hell!"

Retort: "I've been there but I got kicked out for peddling water."

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: Orabel, Barbara

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; HELL ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; WATER ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

Don't soft soap me.

Submitter comment:

Heard by informant in Detroit, MI

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Westrick, Evelyn

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Soap ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

...Says the pretty little bird on Nellie's hat.

(Variant of "Who are you kidding?")

Submitter comment:

Informant heard this often from Nellie Gaffney, a friend of informant's Irish grandmother, Rose Brady.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Westrick, Evelyn

Keyword(s): BIRD ; COMEBACK ; DISBELIEF ; Hat ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

Retort

You're as handy as a screen door in a submarine.

Submitter comment:

Learned from classmate at school

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; Gundlach, Gary ; WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE

Keyword(s): COMEBACK ; INSULT ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; Screen ; Submarine ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

View just this record

PROVERBIAL METAPHOR

YOU'RE LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS; GREEN AND WRINKLED.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

Similar entries may be listed as Retort.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Bucks ; COLOR ; COMEBACK ; Dollars ; Green ; INSULT ; Million ; MONEY ; RETORT ; SARCASM ; SIMILE ; Wisecrack

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula
PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 09-30-1967

View just this record

prev | items
| next

Back to Top