quip

A quip — a short, witty comment — can be pleasant, wise, or sarcastic, but usually carries an element of humor.

A quip is a witty or clever remark that sounds spur-of-the-moment. A successful quip must sound offhand, as though it were an afterthought, even if the speaker has been honing the statement for days. Dorothy Parker was a famous writer known for her quick quips, such as, “The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant — and let the air out of the tires.”