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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"

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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

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#5

Meirl

Meirl

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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!

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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

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#8

Who Orders Small Coffee Anyway?

Who Orders Small Coffee Anyway?

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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!

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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.)”

#10

Stealing The Rainbow

Stealing The Rainbow

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

This doesn't even make sense for Christians. According to the Bible, God created the rainbow as his promise that he will never again destroy humanity because of our sins. It's a universal sign of his unconditioned love for us. What sign could be better suited for an equal rights movement?

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

That assumes that you want an equal rights movement to prosper and, well, be equal. And from that assumption, it all starts to go south.

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

As a queer Christian, I find the LGBTQ use of the rainbow totally appropriate. God is not angry. He has hung up His weapon. His love and mercy extend to all.

CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay if we’re being that technical..Jesus died on the cross. I don’t recall him saying before he died to use the cross as a symbol of his death. 🤔

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

I giggled, though that probably wasn't a joke XD. I agree with your point, though. Technically, the rainbow symbolizes hope and love. And what does the LGBTQ+ community teach? Hope and love. Seems like a perfectly good symbol to use.

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

“Give it back”? Does he think we’re hiding ‘the rainbow’ in some secret lair protected by a moat of glitter? Tf?

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

The LGBTQ community uses the rainbow to symbolize love and inclusion. God used it as a promise that that one time he killed nearly every living thing on the planet was just a one time thing.

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

Was it like in the myth of Prometheus, but the guy was gay, there was only one god, and the fire was a rainbow ?

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

Always saw the biblical rainbow as a warning: "I've just killed almost everything and I can do it again."

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

The rainbow was actually a sign to promise that he specifically would not destroy the world again.

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

I’m a lesbian yet don’t own one single rainbow flag. So I wasn’t the one who took it! I’m just throwing it out there in case a far right Trumpster tries to throw charges around. I’m like Shaggy “Wasn’t me”

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

actually in t he bible the rainbow is the symbol god uses to remind us he will never destroy the world again for mankinds sins. In Jewish Theology that was later adopted by the Catholic Church, the final straw that led to the decision for the flood was the first gay wedding. So the LGBT+ community using the rainbow is actually a very big troll to the religious.

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

I think Odin showed them his fancy bridge and they just liked it so much that they turned it into their flag

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

It's my week to hide the rainbow at my place who has it so we can arrange the hand-off?

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

A meme: "God put a rainbow in the sky to remind himself to never drown his children again (Gen. 9:16). That's right, God needs a giant sticky-note to remind him that genocide is evil."

Learner Panda
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's no such thing as cultural appropriation. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Space Invader
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they stole the rainbow from god, then he can't make them any more. Which must mean every rainbow I saw recently must have been made by the LQBTQ community. In that case: Thanks! Sterling work, specially on the last one!

Richard Willis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So God had memory problems and needed to put a bow in the sky to remind himself of his promise? Is this indicative of dementia?

Richard Willis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So God had memory problems and had to put a bow in the sky to remind himself of his promise? This must be the earliest recorded mention of early-onset dementia!

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

As God is supposed to be almighty, he must have allowed th rainbow to be "stolen".

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

Ah, yes; the rainbow! Celebrating the murder of every person on earth except for one old drunk and his family and promising that next time god would burn us all to death instead. How reassuring!

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

I like it how the catholic church in Europe doesn't give a single f*ck and use their rainbow "PACE" flags anyways and don't act like they own it or condemn it out of homophobia.

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

They chained Alan Turing to a mountain and a vulture came and stole his balls every day. They don't teach you that in school, methinks.

Goth mouse (they/them)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The NHS, the 80’s and My Little Pony are equally guilty of ‘stealing’ it then lol 🤣

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

Not as cool as Prometheus, but they didn't get chained to a rock for it either.

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

God gave the rainbow to all people to do whatever they wished with it.

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

And what culture are the appropriating exactly? God culture? Lol this guy is crazy, does he find god to be like an extremely selfish toddler? That is his rainbow no one shall look upon it for it is only his to enjoy. I wonder if he goes to some strange cult church that shall never look upon gods sacred rainbow.

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

Who says there's a god and it's a masculine entity?

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

And then common physics come in and say: No one stole if rom any one. Its refraction ats its finest. Get over it.

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

You didn't steal it. As if that's possible. You took it, perverted it but it's still His. When I see a rainbow I think of His promise. :)

Thorfin Wolfsbane
Community Member
3 years ago

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Christians be like, “God is all knowing and all powerful deity of the universe”. Christians also say “pwease pwease allow god back in the schools”

Life is ?
Community Member
3 years ago

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And again. BP, can you simply tell that you are a blasphemous website to avoid the doubts users may have. It's hard to accept thoughts about being nice to people and then posts like these at the same time. You seem double standard.

Everything_Fubar
Community Member
3 years ago

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God isn't real, so this goes both ways. It's annoying how both the theists and the homos try to claim rainbows. Rainbows are a natural occurrence, neither of y'all own it.

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

Also annoying that someone in 2021 still uses the term “homos” 🤬

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#11

I Choose You, Bunny!!!!

I Choose You, Bunny!!!!

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#12

Education Is Vitally Important, After All

Education Is Vitally Important, After All

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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.

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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

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#14

So Easy To Say

So Easy To Say

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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.

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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.”

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“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!

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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

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#20

He Makes A Good Point

He Makes A Good Point

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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!

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#21

She Got Played By Her Own Words

She Got Played By Her Own Words

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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.

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#22

Unlimited Power

Unlimited Power

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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.

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#23

This Is Genius

This Is Genius

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#24

If You’ve Read The Bible? Name 10 Plagues

If You’ve Read The Bible? Name 10 Plagues

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#25

Fishing For A Burn

Fishing For A Burn

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#26

A Newer, Healthier Brain

A Newer, Healthier Brain

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#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

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#30

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

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

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#31

On Insta From An Lgbtq Post From Reddit

On Insta From An Lgbtq Post From Reddit

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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.

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#32

Imagine Losing At Your Own Game

Imagine Losing At Your Own Game

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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.

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#33

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

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

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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?

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#34

A Lot To Unpack Here

A Lot To Unpack Here

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#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

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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.

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#38

Waterproof Your Valuables

Waterproof Your Valuables

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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.

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#39

Not Really Sure If This Belongs Here But Still

Not Really Sure If This Belongs Here But Still

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