How Do You Spell WITTICISM?

Pronunciation: [wˈɪtɪsˌɪzəm] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the word "witticism" is /ˈwɪtɪsɪzəm/. The word is spelled with double "t" and "c" because of its etymology. It comes from the French word "witticisme" and ultimately from the Latin "victus" meaning 'life'. The double "t" is to show the stress placed on the first syllable of the word while the double "c" is to preserve the pronunciation of the original French word. A witticism is a clever or witty remark or saying.

WITTICISM Meaning and Definition

1. A witticism is a concise and clever statement or remark that is intended to be humorous, witty, or cleverly insightful. It is a form of verbal wit and wordplay that showcases a person's ability to think quickly and deliver a clever response or observation.

   Witticisms are characterized by their brevity and the clever use of language, often involving puns, double entendres, or irony. They are typically marked by their ability to provoke laughter or amusement, as well as to offer a moment of cleverness or intellectual stimulation.

   Essentially, a witticism is a humorous or clever remark that is intended to entertain others through its cleverness, often delivered in a quick and spontaneous manner. It can be a one-liner, a clever turn of phrase, or a witty comeback in a conversation or situation.

   Witticisms can be found in various contexts, including comedy, literature, conversations, and even everyday life. They often rely on the clever manipulation of words, meanings, or situations to achieve their intended humorous or intellectual effect. As such, witticisms are valued for their ability to entertain, amuse, and showcase the wit and intelligence of the person delivering them.

2. An expression or phrase in which ideas are so unexpectedly associated as to create amusement or pleasant surprise; a witty remark or saying; a phrase or sentence affectedly witty.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for WITTICISM

• misticism
• witicisms
• cirticism
• citicism
• qitticism
• aitticism
• sitticism
• eitticism
• 3itticism
• 2itticism
• wutticism
• whitticism
• fetticism
• wittisicism
• witcticism
• Bittirish
• Whittboism

Etymology of WITTICISM

The word "witticism" originated in the early 18th century. It is derived from two components: "wit" and "cism".

The term "wit" dates back to Old English and Middle English, derived from the Old English word "witan" meaning "to know". Over time, it evolved to refer to intelligence, cleverness, and quick thinking. By the 16th century, "wit" came to specifically mean "a person's ability to make clever and humorous remarks".

The second component, "cism", is a suffix derived from the Greek word "kī́zō" which means "that which is done, act or action". This suffix is often used to form nouns that refer to a particular state or quality.

Plural form of WITTICISM is WITTICISMS