ADVERTISEMENT

Stepping up gives you one sense of accomplishment, but one-upping someone who’s clearly wrong is a whole other achievement. So this post is dedicated to those who didn’t stay silent when hearing false statements, fake news, or faulty arguments, but decided to cut the BS and do everyone a public service.

Thanks to the r/CleverComebacks subreddit, a community with 830k members that’s constantly growing, we have laid out some of the most razor-sharp comebacks. Scroll down, upvote the sharpest comebacks and be sure to check out our previous post on witty comebacks.

We also spoke to Abigail Paul, an actress, standup comedian and improviser who has given seminars on incorporating theatre techniques for purposes beyond the stage to schools, businesses and organizations all over Germany since 2001. Abigail told us how to improve our comeback skills, starting from learning to be better listeners. Tune in for the interview below!

#3

"Markets Unable To Adapt To New Generation Of Consumers"

"Markets Unable To Adapt To New Generation Of Consumers"

killHACKS Report

Abigail is now busy launching a new organization for comedy and shows in Frankfurt called “English Comedy Frankfurt,” so be sure to follow her work on Twitter.

“The secret to any comeback is connection,” she said and continued: “If you are really listening (and connecting) with another person, you are taking them in fully, aware of who they are, the context in which you are dealing with this person.”

Abigail believes that we tend do this assessment unconsciously. “We aren't even always aware that we are always sizing up other people. This is too often because we are so focused on ourselves.”

#4

Kid Has A Bright And Shocking Future In Front Of Him

Kid Has A Bright And Shocking Future In Front Of Him

The_Jib Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Meirl

Meirl

orchid_breeder Report

Add photo comments
POST
Happy Quokka
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you are doing a good deed only as an advertisement 🤦‍♂️

“I teach the rules and principles of improvisation. We credit the improv guru Keith Johnstone with the term 'status' exercises and games, which helps us see things like status moves, and how to make a character in a scene have a higher or lower status. By working on this skill in a theatrical way, you also start to notice status 'wars' happening in real life. On the stage, it usually has the end effect of being comedic. In real life, it can go either way.”

#7

Some Good Luck!

Some Good Luck!

FitzRowe Report

Add photo comments
POST
PjandBolt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Michael Rosen is a legend. I'm so glad he lived despite having to deal with that awful experience

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Who Orders Small Coffee Anyway?

Who Orders Small Coffee Anyway?

OldFingerman Report

Add photo comments
POST
Brian Bennett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah-sock-it-to-em beautiful. Excellent without using any swear words!

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Abigail argues that a great comeback feels great because it was earned. “It was spontaneous. The commenter was probably really listening. It was unique to that moment, set of people, situation,” she explained.

When asked how to make sure that your comeback doesn't sound mean, Abigail warns that “a comeback is not a clapback—which is generally sarcastic, but a clapback might be fun among friends.” Moreover, “Context of situation always matters. In working on status exercises in improv, we try to get people to see that the easiest way to raise another person's status is to lower their own. We see that in standup comedy too. Usually it works best if the comic is the butt of the joke, not the audience. (There are plenty of exceptions.)”

#11

I Choose You, Bunny!!!!

I Choose You, Bunny!!!!

Icy-Manufacturer-875 Report

#12

Education Is Vitally Important, After All

Education Is Vitally Important, After All

Smitherd Report

Add photo comments
POST
Caro Caro
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Keith said it all. She is the most stupid together with that tomi twit.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

According to Abigail, “You needn't be too self-effacing for a good comeback, but if it can lift other people up, it usually works well and gains the speaker a laugh and cements the bond that says, we are in this together.”

Comebacks can be a useful communication tool, but Abigail argues that excellent listening skills are the most important thing. “Paying attention, making accurate observations about the people in the room, and how they feel—these are the tools that will make a comeback really shine,” she said.

#13

Other People’s Kids Is A Surprisingly Great Form Of Birth Control

Other People’s Kids Is A Surprisingly Great Form Of Birth Control

ducassen4534 Report

#14

So Easy To Say

So Easy To Say

unfazed_jedi Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hello it Smee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother said he'd never put his kids on a leash-backpack before he had kids. Well after my 2-year-old niece booked it through the Tulsa zoo and wanted to pet the animals she was on a leash before noon.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

And when it comes to getting better at listening, Abigail shared a fun game to exercise. “Have a chat with someone, but you have to start your response with the last letter of what the person has just said to you,” she said and added: “For example, if person 1 says 'what was the best part of your day'—the response must start with Y from the word day.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“It might make for odd conversations at first, but it also forces you to really listen to the complete end of the person's sentence before you add in your own thoughts,” she concluded.

#19

Better Hope His House Doesn't Catch On Fire!

Better Hope His House Doesn't Catch On Fire!

KingJak0b Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ancsuri
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

universal health care is very good. Just Americans think ist something bad

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

He Makes A Good Point

He Makes A Good Point

Sadlysoul Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raven Sheridan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a pandemic, churches are NOT essential. Isn't God supposed to be everywhere? You don't need to go to a certain place or building to worship him or pray. You can do this from the safety of your own home. God gave you a brain, use it!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

She Got Played By Her Own Words

She Got Played By Her Own Words

Wensted Report

Add photo comments
POST
Everything_Fubar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can men haters just not exist, that's all I ask at this point. Men are being demonized just as much as straights and whites these days. It's unreal.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Unlimited Power

Unlimited Power

DApsyD Report

Add photo comments
POST
Seonag Udell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is it with this Ben Shapiro dude, like every time I see his name come up on BP thread, I know he's gonna say something ridiculously stupid or offensive.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#23

This Is Genius

This Is Genius

utkarshraj2000 Report

#24

If You’ve Read The Bible? Name 10 Plagues

If You’ve Read The Bible? Name 10 Plagues

Ch_Anderson Report

#25

Fishing For A Burn

Fishing For A Burn

VenusCupcake Report

#26

A Newer, Healthier Brain

A Newer, Healthier Brain

Master1718 Report

#28

They Don't Even Bother Hiding The Fact That The Gop Is Bought And Paid For Anymore

They Don't Even Bother Hiding The Fact That The Gop Is Bought And Paid For Anymore

BeerAndaBackpack , twitter.com Report

#30

Time Is Relative... And Mine Ain't Rich

Time Is Relative... And Mine Ain't Rich

sandweiche Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

On Insta From An Lgbtq Post From Reddit

On Insta From An Lgbtq Post From Reddit

Elite_Gamer070 Report

Add photo comments
POST
cybermerlin2000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how people think their boycotting something will single-handedly bring everything crashing down, when in reality they won't even show up as a statistic.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

Imagine Losing At Your Own Game

Imagine Losing At Your Own Game

ventorliza Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It always pays to read right through the book before you try to review it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

Liking-Old-Pic-Shaming Back Fired...

Liking-Old-Pic-Shaming Back Fired...

lauch_btw Report

Add photo comments
POST
Tiny Dynamine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's amazing that people will choose to get offended because someone liked something of theirs. How low is humanity sinking this century?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

A Lot To Unpack Here

A Lot To Unpack Here

kevinowdziej Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jean-Daniel Mohier
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All this time I had no idea that eating baguette "reinforced the dominance of white people over ethnic minorities." I know I should read the whole article before critcizing but come on... what?

Jean-Daniel Mohier
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1 - Ok, here is the abstract of the actual research paper (my thoughts between parenthesis): Food is fundamental to French identity (As it is for any nation but so far so good). So too is the denial of structural racism (that's a gross overstatement or generality) and racial identity (not sure you can deny racial identity, it seems to me people, especially racist are pretty good at identifying which race you belong too, and when in doubt they ask: What are you?).

Load More Replies...
Thomas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, what can a French person know about cheese? They only have about 1500+ varieties. /s

Load More Replies...
Nathan Pogorzala
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't ya think saying an entire country's cuisine is white privilege is a bit of a stretch? this de-legitimizes actual inequality. French food is butter and cream. So dairy is socially bad now?

Tres D
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's kind of racist to imply that only white people eat French food!

Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now some are calling simple food racist, I did not know bread had a voice

CbusResident
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

French food is white privilege? Okay, I was in need of a refill on my personal philosophical permission to ignore everything said by the far left, (just as I ignore the far right). 'French food is white privilege!!!!' Check. Far left is on mute in my brain again.

Leesa DeAndrea
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But cheddar & Oreos are tasty. But not together. Actually I don't know that. I've never tried it. Maybe it's delicious.

lara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

French food is "racist"? I'm not surprised, "The University of Wisconsin removed a 42-ton boulder from its Madison campus Friday after complaints from students of color who called the rock racist. Chamberlin Rock, which had sat on Observatory Point since 1925, was named after Thomas Chamberlin, a geologist and former university president who served from 1887 to 1892. A 1925 Wisconsin State Journal article used the n-word as part of a nickname for the giant boulder.

lara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In addition: " Physicists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and SUNY Stony Brook recently concluded that two black holes maintained their total surface area after merging. While this research was a welcome confirmation of the theory of general relativity, it failed to address a crucial matter: What were its racial implications?" https://www.manhattan-institute.org/are-cosmic-black-holes-racist-take-this-cornell-course-to-find-out

Load More Replies...
Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many people legitimately made fun of her, here in France. She shamelessly explained to a class in one of the most prestigious French schools that French food is too "white" (and inevitably bad, because white = bad) because most French people have always been white people, and we sometimes eat pork, which is undeniably islamophobic although nobody tries to force them to eat some too... All that woke stuff is trying to contaminate Europe, but the people still resist.

John Baker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooner or later, the "woke" movement will collapse under the weight of its own absurdity.

Load More Replies...
Booklover378
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oui, je ne sais pas pourqoui les personne te fait du blague à pros pro de cuisine française.

Lisa Chambers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hahaha! The French and Italians have very specific food bias. Meanwhile, Ill sit at their table and eat like they do!

Bacony Cakes
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*eats singular croissant* *poofs into nazi uniform and does the hitler salute*

Andrew Cohen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

French food is @#$ amazing. Also, cheese wiz goes much better with oreos.

StrawberryParfait
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this person not aware that there are many culinary regions in France? It ain't all cream sauces and vol-au-vent. Some of it is straight up peasant food. Delicious, but very simple and basic ingredients, and not highbrow at all.

Fred L.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing wrong with cheddar and oreos though, although I have to say I´ve never tried them together.

Tracy Sellars
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My favorite French Restaurant closed last year and I'm still missing their delicious food.

Neil Bidle
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Most French food is pretentious peasant-food that has had the best PR team in the world. Take the cheapest, worst meat, bathe it in wine, simmer for hours, enjoy! Champagne was an accident, French cheese looks like someone has *had* an accident, and French wine is almost all now grown on vines saved by American vines.

A B C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You make it pretty obvious that you have no idea what you're talking about.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Great Observation, People Who Make A Lot Of Money Don't See The Problem

Great Observation, People Who Make A Lot Of Money Don't See The Problem

isaacfink Report

Add photo comments
POST
Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny how some working class fool got into the business of defending billionaires.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Waterproof Your Valuables

Waterproof Your Valuables

pelcgbtencul Report

Add photo comments
POST
A Head
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does this person think that US currency dissolves in water? It can go through the laundry.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#39

Not Really Sure If This Belongs Here But Still

Not Really Sure If This Belongs Here But Still

vedvineet98 Report