quépique

Quépique is a contemporary neologism in the Spanish language that has circulated in online and youth culture since the early 2020s. It refers to a brief remark or action that delivers a sharp, witty, or provocative effect, typically in response to another comment or situation. The term appears to derive from the combination of qué, meaning "what," and pique, which can denote provocation, sting, or a competitive edge, signaling a moment of pointed humor or challenge. There is no universally accepted definition in formal dictionaries, and usage varies by community and platform.

In practice, un quépique can describe a clever comeback, a biting observation, or a perfectly timed quip that shifts the tone of a discussion. It is especially common on social media, where concise, quotable lines are valued. Attitudes toward quépique range from appreciating wit and linguistic creativity to viewing it as performative or divisive, depending on context and delivery.

Because it is an emergent term, spelling and capitalization are not fixed. Some writers hyphenate or capitalize it, and others keep it lowercase as quépique. The concept has inspired memes, comment-thread shorthand, and micro-essays that showcase quick verbal dexterity.

See also: neologism, slang, online discourse.