Literary notes about quip (AI summary)
In literature, the term "quip" frequently functions as a concise, witty remark that can carry a range of tones—from light-hearted banter to a cutting, sarcastic retort. Some writers employ it to inject humor into dialogues or to reveal a character’s sharp intellect, as when a clever exchange brightens a conversation [1, 2, 3]. At times, the quip is replete with irony or even contempt, vividly capturing scorn or a sneer in its delivery [4, 5]. Other works marry the quip with themes of levity and mock seriousness, subtly underscoring a character’s effervescent personality or, conversely, their bitter cynicism [6, 7, 8]. Ultimately, the quip emerges as a versatile literary tool, enriching narrative texture and deepening character interactions across diverse contexts [9, 10].
- So Andrew Lackaday threw himself back in his chair and laughed at Elodie's quip.
— from The Mountebank by William John Locke - Victoria was now at home in the market place, and could exchange a quip with the frequenters.
— from A Bed of Roses by Walter Lionel George - For several hours Jim was seen no more on deck, and many a merry quip was bandied at his expense.
— from Frontier Boys in the South Seas by Wyn Roosevelt - But I think that quip , a sneer , a sarcasm , a contemptuous jest, is the proper word, as suiting very exactly with scorn .
— from Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies by Samuel Johnson - At this quip, Russel drew a pistol from his sash, and would have shot his unoffending enemy dead, had not the gunner snatched it out of his hand.
— from The Monarchs of the Main; Or, Adventures of the Buccaneers. Volume 3 (of 3) by Walter Thornbury - It is a profound foolishness, a cosmic trick and quip, to the contemplative eye of the philosopher—yes, and of the futurist.
— from The Mutiny of the Elsinore by Jack London - By means of some such quip he was accustomed to paralyze his victims with laughter and then to destroy them.
— from Seeing Things at Night by Heywood Broun - The confident last-wicket man, on the other hand, goes forth to battle with a light quip upon his lips.
— from Tales of St. Austin's by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse - Break it down into little, quite little syllables— quip —I know that, q-u-i-p. There, oh, help me, help me, someone!”
— from Old Mr. Tredgold by Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant - Then Tristram, waiting for the quip to come, 'Good now, what music have I broken, fool?'
— from Idylls of the King by Baron Alfred Tennyson Tennyson
