Expression of disbelief upon hearing or
reading a phrase or comment of great pretence, alternatively inherent
wit, irony, sardonic brutality or plain mirth. The response implies a certain pretence and commensurate self deprecation on the part of the respondent. Also it may be used as a
barb to insinuate a pretentiousness inherent in the inciting comment or the respondent's interlocutor.
"When I heard that the arts minister hadn'
t heard of the nation'
s greatest playwright, I choked on my
latte"