Changes

==Origin==

==Origin==

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English]; akin to Old High German ''wizzi'' knowledge, Old English ''witan'' to know

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English]; akin to Old High German ''wizzi'' knowledge, Old English ''witan'' to know

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_century before 12th Century]

*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_century before 12th Century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1a : [[mind]], [[memory]]  

*1a : [[mind]], [[memory]]  

'''Wit''' is a form of [[intellectual]] [[humor]], and is the [[ability]] to say or write things that are [[clever]] and usually funny. A wit is a person skilled at making clever and funny remarks. Forms of wit include the ''quip'' and ''repartee''.

'''Wit''' is a form of [[intellectual]] [[humor]], and is the [[ability]] to say or write things that are [[clever]] and usually funny. A wit is a person skilled at making clever and funny remarks. Forms of wit include the ''quip'' and ''repartee''.

As in the wit of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Parker Dorothy Parker]'s set, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Round_Table Algonquin Round Table], witty remarks may be intentionally [[cruel]] (as in many epigrams), and perhaps more ingenious than funny.

As in the wit of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Parker Dorothy Parker]'s set, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Round_Table Algonquin Round Table], witty remarks may be intentionally [[cruel]] (as in many epigrams), and perhaps more ingenious than funny.

A ''quip'' is an [[observation]] or saying that has some wit but perhaps [[descends]] into [[sarcasm]], or otherwise is short of point; a witticism also suggests the diminutive. ''Repartee'' is the wit of the quick [[answer]] and capping comment: the snappy comeback and neat retort. (Wilde: "I wish I'd said that." Whistler: "You will, Oscar, you will".)

A ''quip'' is an [[observation]] or saying that has some wit but perhaps [[descends]] into [[sarcasm]], or otherwise is short of point; a witticism also suggests the diminutive. ''Repartee'' is the wit of the quick [[answer]] and capping comment: the snappy comeback and neat retort. (Wilde: "I wish I'd said that." Whistler: "You will, Oscar, you will".)

Wit in [[poetry]] is characteristic of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysical_poetry metaphysical poetry] as a style, and was prevalent in the time of English playwright [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare Shakespeare], who admonished pretension with the phrase "Better a witty fool than a foolish wit". It may combine word play with conceptual [[thinking]], as a kind of verbal display requiring [[attention]], without intending to be laugh-aloud funny; in [[fact]] wit can be a thin [[disguise]] for more poignant [[feelings]] that are being versified. English poet [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Donne John Donne] is the representative of this style of poetry.

Wit in [[poetry]] is characteristic of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaphysical_poetry metaphysical poetry] as a style, and was prevalent in the time of English playwright [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare Shakespeare], who admonished pretension with the phrase "Better a witty fool than a foolish wit". It may combine word play with conceptual [[thinking]], as a kind of verbal display requiring [[attention]], without intending to be laugh-aloud funny; in [[fact]] wit can be a thin [[disguise]] for more poignant [[feelings]] that are being versified. English poet [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Donne John Donne] is the representative of this style of poetry.

More generally, one's wits are one's [[intellectual]] [[powers]] of all [[types]]. Native wit — meaning the wits with which one is born — is closely synonymous with [[common sense]]. To live by one's wits is to be an opportunist, but not always of the scrupulous kind. To have one's wits about one is to be alert and capable of quick [[reasoning]]. To be at the end of one's wits is to be immensely [[frustrated]].

More generally, one's wits are one's [[intellectual]] [[powers]] of all [[types]]. Native wit — meaning the wits with which one is born — is closely synonymous with [[common sense]]. To live by one's wits is to be an opportunist, but not always of the scrupulous kind. To have one's wits about one is to be alert and capable of quick [[reasoning]]. To be at the end of one's wits is to be immensely [[frustrated]].

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]