l'esprit de l'escalier UK /lɛˌspɹiː də lɛsˈkal.jeɪ/US /lɛˌspɹi də ˌlɛs.kəlˈjeɪ/ noun1 •The phenomenon when a conversational rejoinder or remark only occurs to someone after the opportunity to make it has passed.Some last thoughts in l'esprit de l'escalier—afterthoughts descending the stairwell as one remembers things unsaid. — 2011
