The French phrase “l’esprit de l’escalier” means “the wit of the staircase”: the perfect reply that comes to you only when leaving a party. About a decade ago, having brunch with friends at Acme in Carrboro, I ordered a weekly special called “The 007 Breakfast.” Someone had apparently been reading the canon and learned that Bond liked shirred eggs, bacon and toast.
The waiter announced each dish as he served them, so when he placed mine in front of me he said, “007.”
Later I realized I should have replied, “Commander Bond when we’re in public.”