bon mot

[bon moh; French bawn moh] /ˈbɒn ˈmoʊ; French bɔ̃ ˈmoʊ/
noun, plural bons mots
[bon mohz; French bawn moh] /ˈbɒn ˈmoʊz; French bɔ̃ ˈmoʊ/ (Show IPA)
1.
a witty remark or comment; clever saying; witticism.
Origin
1725-35; < French: literally, good word; see boon2, motto
Can be confused
bon mot, mot juste.
Examples from the web for bon mot
  • His latest bon mot, however, could cost him his seat.
  • Sometimes he goes a half-dozen stops without a single bon mot.
British Dictionary definitions for bon mot

bon mot

/French bɔ̃ mo/
noun (pl) bons mots (bɔ̃ mo)
1.
a clever and fitting remark
Word Origin
French, literally: good word
Word Origin and History for bon mot
n.

1735, French, "good saying, " literally "good word," from bon "good" + mot (12c.), from Vulgar Latin muttum, from Latin muttire "to mutter, mumble, murmur" (see mutter).