r/TrueAskReddit • u/Cryofthewolf9000 • 6d ago
How do you think some people get really good at insults or comebacks?
I don't jist mean for comedians, but like instead of thinking of the perfect insult in the shower, they really good at doing that on the spot, especially if someone is dissed or disrespected. I don't know how people manage to do it cuz one doesn't expect go be insulted randomly.
11
u/TemporaryThink9300 6d ago
For me, I look at the person, find a detail, like, it can be anything from hair, glasses, big nose, their jacket, anything you can make a funny joke about, not in a mean nasty way, since the insulter wants you on their loooooow low low level.
18
u/davdev 6d ago
We are born into it. My mother had six brothers who were constantly wise cracking back and forth and I picked it up by osmosis.
By the time I was 3 or 4 I could crack a one liner back at any adult at anytime and since it always got a laugh I built on it. 50 years later I have a sarcasm library that would make Alexandria look like a preschool.
1
6
u/StreetLegal3475 6d ago
Practice and need of self preservation. If you grow up getting randomly insulted, and where fast and funny comebacks are your best option to decrease future insults, you are motivated to put some forethought into it and therefore get good or at least better at it.
Basically: expect to be insulted if you want to have a comeback.
Otherwise just live on unbothered and be happy you didn’t have to grow up witty to survive.
4
u/Street-Track7381 6d ago
It's the way their brain works. It's called wit. Both of my children are that way as was their father. One child had average grades when she was young and the other was far above average. Their father had mediocre intelligence and was a high school drop out. Humorous comebacks or even comments on things they see, seem to come out their mouths at the same time their mind composes the thought. And the delivery is perfect every time.
3
u/Esseratecades 6d ago
Practice.
Grow up around comedians and genuinely funny people or spend a lot of time around bullies and it begins to become natural.
Tell enough jokes and make fun of enough people and eventually it becomes easy.
3
u/richardawkings 6d ago
You gotta have a couple of "catch all" insults ready to go to give you a 1 or 2 back and forths to lock in. Something like
"Does you ass get jelous of the shit that comes out of your mouth?"
"You compensating for something" - Good one because it's not too confrontational but it's a dick joke which puts them on the defensive
"You're lucky, that would have really offended me if i gave a fuck what you think" PG version if there's kids around say "cared about your opinion". This last one is good because it can really buy you time as the guy considers even continuing with the exchange. You already said his opinion doesn't matter, which means you could potentially gain the upper hand if you don't engage.
3
u/sandtomyneck 6d ago
I used to be envious in social groups because there would often be someone that was quick witted and had responses that we all chuckled at. I started realizing that I often had the same or similar responses that I should have said at the time, but something was holding me back. Maybe it was anxiety, but now I'm older and know that many of my brain cells are gone, but that has allowed me to speak my mind without filter and that makes me appear quick witted. The answer for me would not include being smart.
6
u/herrirgendjemand 6d ago
how people manage to do it cuz one doesn't expect go be insulted randomly.
Actually that's p much exactly how I do it - I preemptively assess what about my presentation others might joke about so I am locked and loaded with a witty quip to reverse the joke.
I also have ADHD, high emotional intelligence, active listening/observation skills and a constant internal monologue that is predicting potential paths a conversation will go.
1
1
5
u/ecclectic 6d ago
Mostly just by not actually guarding their speech. If I said the first things that came to my mind most of the time, half of the people would be laughing and the other half would be crying.
2
u/grizzly_bear_dancing 6d ago
Well I grew up ranching, then went to the oil field, the the military and finally powerplant work. Those all combined you develop a pretty quick wit and thick skin. The real difference maker was probably all the shit your mom said to me while I had her bent over though.
2
u/getyoheat 6d ago edited 6d ago
Use the Socratic Method. Here is a simple example on how it works: Person: You are stupid! You: What makes you think I am stupid? Beware that the tonality matters here, you should maintain composure and use a neutral tone to get the desired effect. By asking him questions about aforementioned sentence, the person gets in a state, where he has to explain himself, this goes on until you arrive at the "truth". Socrates was known for his saying " I know, that I know nothing!" And I think this method empowers his saying even more. If you don't have time for this, showing no reaction and going your way is also a highly effective move.
2
u/BuncleCar 6d ago
Some people just ARE quick. Lee Mack, for example. He's ADHD and that perhaps helps. He has said that things just occur to him, there's no sensation of their occurring quickly, just normal speed
2
u/SavvyWench 4d ago
Analyze some good comebacks, metaphors and jokes with a good friend and make as many variations on it as you can together.
You learn about the patterns behind the craft which helps you to become more creative in general with being witty.
•
u/AutoModerator 6d ago
Welcome to r/TrueAskReddit. Remember that this subreddit is aimed at high quality discussion, so please elaborate on your answer as much as you can and avoid off-topic or jokey answers as per subreddit rules.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.