What is L’esprit de l’escalier?
Imagine this: you’ve just finished a fantastic book, one that left your brain buzzing with ideas. You’re in the middle of a lively book club discussion, and someone throws out a brilliant, thought-provoking argument. But in the moment….you’re at a loss for words. It’s not until you’ve awkwardly said goodbye, shut down your laptop, and started wandering around the house—or maybe making a snack in the kitchen—that the perfect response finally hits you.
That’s L’esprit de l’escalier—that “spirit of the stairs” moment when the comeback or insight arrives just a bit too late. Coined by French philosopher **Denis Diderot**, this phrase beautifully captures the human experience of reflecting on conversations after the fact.
