Quip

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /kwɪp/

Definitions

1. A sharp or clever comment that is often humorous and spontaneous
2. A witty or clever remark made to amuse or provoke thought
3. A brief, humorous observation delivered with quickness or style

Etymology: The most surprising thing about "quip" is that it may have started life as a Latin particle meaning "indeed." The Latin "quippe" was used to introduce an ironic or sarcastic comment, and the word seems to have passed into English as a clipped form of "quippy," a adjective for sharp, witty remarks. Its deeper root is "quid," the Latin word for "what," which is why the connection is so easy to miss. Because the link to "quippe" is only a possibility, the exact path is less certain than the core idea. The shape of the word, a short, quick "quip" that snaps out like a sharp remark, is a neat fit for a clever retort that arrives in a flash of speech.

Synonyms: jest, witticism, joke, pun, repartee