ESL Blogs

These are some comebacks retorted by some iconic characters throughout the history. As you probably know, a comeback is a quick reply to a critical remark:

Admirer: Herr Mozart, I'm thinking of writing symphonies. Can you give me any suggestions as to how to get started?

Mozart: A symphony is a very complex musical form. Perhaps you should begin with some simple lieder and work your way up to a symphony.

Admirer: But Herr Mozart, you were writing symphonies when you were 8 years old.

Mozart: Yes, but I never asked anybody how.

*lied ( pl. lieder |ˈlēdər| )

a type of German song, esp. of the Romantic period, typically for solo voice with piano accompaniment

When asked if he prayed for the senators, Reverend Edward Everett Hale replied, "No. I look at the senators and pray for the country."

During a televised debate when his Republican opponent challenged him to take a drug test Senator Fritz Hollings said,"I'll take a drug test if you'll take an IQ test."

MP: Mr. Churchill, must you fall asleep while I'm speaking?

Churchill: No, It's purely voluntary.

***

Bessie Braddock: Winston, you are drunk!

Churchill: You're right, Bessie. And you're ugly. But tomorrow morning, I'll be sober. And you're still be ugly.

Bessie Braddock

Henry Clay: I would rather be right than be president.

Thomas Reed: The gentleman need not trouble himself. He'll never be either.

Lewis Morris: There's a conspiracy against me, a conspiracy of silence; but what can one do? What should I do?

Wilde: Join it.

::

So, next time when someone hurls insults at you, instead of strangling him with his own intestines; just cool off for a sec and search for a witty rejoinder. You'll avoid a potential lawsuit, you know?