Word of the day: Boutade

It may not always be taken too seriously, and the speaker might intend it to provoke, entertain, or elicit a reaction. The speech might seem bold, unexpected, or even slightly exaggerated, but it is likely accompanied by a humorous or ironic touch. You might come across this type of speech in a conversation where someone utters a witty or even somewhat provocative remark just to stir the discussion. The word that defines this type of speech is boutade.It is not always the case that the speaker believes in what they are saying. Rather, the speech might indicate the speaker’s humour, exaggeration, or even wit. The speech might even surprise, entertain, or even provoke the listener, but it is likely said in a light-hearted or even humorous manner.Boutade refers to a sudden, witty, or provocative remark, often made impulsively and not meant to be taken entirely seriously.The term "boutade" is French in origin and originally meant "sudden outburst or impulsive action." It is derived from the French verb "bouter," which means "to thrust" or "to push."When "boutade" entered the English language in the 17th century, its meaning shifted to refer to "a quick and spirited remark or statement; a playful and sometimes provocative statement." It eventually came to mean "witty remark or comment not to be taken literally."