Quips
Ah, the art of the quip. Many opponents have fallen due to the judicious placement of a well-constructed turn of phrase.
“Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words.” – Dorothy Parker
On the other hand, many opponents have not. Whether the fault is in your lack of wit or theirs, one must always be prepared for a quip to fall flat.
There’s a very specific kind of humiliation that comes from losing a battle of wits because the opponent, and the audience in general, responds more to catch phrases and other empty jests. If you’ve witnessed any presidential debate of the last several decades, you surely know what I mean.
Unless you are trained and experienced in the use of the quip, you can be certain of frequent misfires. Even with an instinctive talent and years of verbal sparring, there is still significant possibility of a quip fizzling or blowing up in your face.
In general, you should never enter a battle if you are not prepared to lose. Yes, I understand the heady flash that comes from putting everything on the line with one delicate but powerful burst of verbal secret weapons. If you can’t handle the worst case scenario, forget grabbing for the glory.
In a verbal sparring match, the winner is sometimes decided simply because the loser can’t come up with anything else. Wit can achieve this, but so can shock and pathos. Avoid putting yourself in a situation where you win the battle but lose the crowd.
Then again, sometimes a quip in passing is fun, too. There need be nothing nasty about a quip, especially if your intended target is conversant with irony and sarcasm. Hey, if it’s the right person, a quip can lead to lasting love!