Picture this: Sicily, 1922.* You’re arguing with a rival olive oil merchant. He insults your lasagna. High stakes indeed! Yet, uncharacteristically, you fumble your words and leave frustrated. Then, as you’re walking down the cobbled streets or even later, when you’re lying in bed staring at the ceiling… it hits you, BAM! The perfect retort! But alas, your moment has passed.
You, my friend, have just met the Treppenwitz. A gloriously German word that literally means “staircase joke” (Treppe = stairs, Witz = joke). It captures the agony of thinking of the perfect reply only when it’s too late—typically when you’re already on the stairs, after the conversation has ended. (Or, let’s be honest, it usually takes until you’re in the shower, or it’s 2 AM, or three days later. Or is my brain alone in serving up its best ideas when it is absolutely useless?) 
It’s a universal struggle, so you’d think more languages would have a word for it, oder?! But no. Only the Germans do! (Fun fact, years ago, I actually taught my then therapist, German no less, this wonderful word.)
One thing I love about the German language is that it has many words to describe all kinds of situations and feelings that other languages don’t even think of. (Kummerspeck, anyone?) The Treppenwitz has something quirky in it, and yet… also feels somewhat… poetic?
Anyway, it’s one of my favorite German words, and I thought you should get to know it, too. What do you think, does the Treppenwitz deserve a global stage, alongside Schadenfreude and Weltschmerz? And more importantly: What’s the best Treppenwitz moment you’ve ever had?
Happy Friday, y’all! And may your best jokes arrive on time for once. 😉
*Never, ever, ever be basic and never ever pass on the opportunity to let your Inner-Sophia Petrillo out. Ever!
