Repartee: Etymology
“Repartee” traces its etymological origins to the French language. It is derived from the Old French word “repartir,” meaning “to retort” or “to reply promptly.”
The term entered the English language during the 17th century, retaining its essential meaning of quick, witty, and skillful verbal exchange. Rooted in the linguistic and cultural exchanges between French and English, “repartee” reflects a historical interplay that has contributed to its usage in describing the art of clever and playful conversation. This linguistic journey underscores the enduring nature of repartee as a form of discourse characterized by wit, humor, and swift verbal rejoinders.
Repartee: Literal and Conceptual Meanings
| Literal Meaning | Conceptual Meaning |
| Derived from Old French “repartir,” meaning “to retort” or “to reply promptly.” | Swift and clever verbal exchange, often characterized by wit and humor. |
| Originates from the 17th century French-English linguistic interplay. | A form of discourse involving quick and skillful verbal rejoinders. |
| Rooted in the act of responding promptly in conversation. | Reflects the art of engaging, playful, and clever communication. |
| Enters the English language to describe a particular style of replying. | Represents the ability to deliver sharp, witty responses effectively. |
Repartee: Definition as a Literary Device
Repartee, as a literary device, entails a form of rapid, witty, and often humorous exchange in dialogue, showcasing characters’ verbal agility and clever retorts. It is a nuanced facet of dialogue that adds dynamic engagement and characterizes interactions with quick-witted responses, contributing to the overall tone and atmosphere of a literary work. Through the strategic use of repartee, authors infuse dialogues with liveliness, reinforcing character traits, and fostering reader engagement with the narrative.
Repartee: Types
| Type of Repartee | Description | Example in Literature |
| Verbal Wit Repartee | Involves quick and clever use of language to exchange witty remarks and retorts. | In Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” the banter between Beatrice and Benedick is filled with verbal wit repartee. |
| Sarcasm and Irony Repartee | Utilizes sarcasm and irony in responses, often to convey humor or make pointed remarks. | In Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” characters engage in sarcastic and ironic repartee, particularly Algernon’s witty comments. |
| Double Entendre Repartee | Involves remarks with double meanings, adding a layer of complexity or humor to the exchange. | In Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” characters engage in double entendre repartee, especially in the banter between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. |
| Satirical Repartee | Uses humor, irony, or ridicule to criticize or mock a person, society, or situation. | Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels” employs satirical repartee to critique various aspects of 18th-century society. |
| Banter and Teasing Repartee | Involves playful and light-hearted exchanges, often characterized by good-natured teasing. | J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series features banter and teasing repartee, particularly in the dialogue among the main characters. |
These types of repartee showcase the versatility of this literary device in conveying humor, wit, and character dynamics within various literary works.
Repartee: Examples in Everyday Life
- Workplace Banter:
- Person 1: “Did you finish that report yet?”
- Person 2: “Of course! I even added a touch of artistic flair, turning it into a masterpiece.”
- Family Teasing:
- Parent: “You’re still not ready? We’re leaving in five minutes!”
- Teenager: “I’m just fashionably late, trying to keep up with the trends, you know.”
- Friendship Banter:
- Friend 1: “You’re terrible at video games.”
- Friend 2: “Well, I didn’t want to embarrass you by showing my true skills.”
- Restaurant Humor:
- Server: “Are you still working on that?”
- Diner: “No, I’m training for the food Olympics. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
- Customer Service Interaction:
- Customer: “This product is supposed to be easy to assemble.”
- Customer Service: “It is! We just include extra parts to keep you on your toes.”
- Classroom Banter:
- Teacher: “Did you study for the test?”
- Student: “I consider every day a study day; the test just caught me by surprise.”
- Sibling Teasing:
- Sibling 1: “You never share the remote control.”
- Sibling 2: “I’m just safeguarding society from your questionable taste in shows.”
- Social Media Interactions:
- Commenter: “You post too many selfies.”
- Poster: “Well, I’m just making sure the internet gets its daily dose of fabulous.”
- Traffic Exchange:
- Driver 1: “Learn to use your turn signal!”
- Driver 2: “I did! It’s the car’s way of winking at you.”
- Fitness Center Humor:
- Gym-goer: “Do you even lift?”
- Fitness Buff: “Only when the pizza delivery guy arrives.”
These everyday examples demonstrate how repartee adds humor and light-heartedness to various social interactions.
Repartee in Literature: Suggested Readings
- Wilde, Oscar. The Importance of Being Earnest. Dover Publications, 1990.
- Shakespeare, William. Much Ado About Nothing. Simon & Schuster, 2004.
- Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Penguin Classics, 2003.
- Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver’s Travels. Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter series. Scholastic. 2006.
- Bakhtin, Mikhail. Speech Genres and Other Late Essays. University of Texas Press, 1986.
- Booth, Wayne C. The Rhetoric of Fiction. University of Chicago Press, 1961.
- Foucault, Michel. The Archaeology of Knowledge. Routledge, 2002.
- Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Dover Publications, 1993.
- Genette, Gérard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Cornell University Press, 1983.