witticism

He was also the victim of a particularly odious witticism while living here.

Enchanted at what he thought a witticism, he cut short further dry talk.

The use of the prescribed address "ma'mselle" was evidently regarded as a witticism, for shouts of laughter filled the place.

Even every witty tale and mere witticism teaches something useful.

It was a more or less pointless witticism, but it had a humorous quotable flavor, and it made Evans mad.