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As suggested by the title, I am looking for a term to describe the well-known (?) phenomenon, that some people often start quite lengthy conversations with someone standing in a doorway about to leave. I am sure I came across such a term some time ago, but cannot find it now.

Thanks in advance!

Étienne Bézout
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  • @Mari-LouA: Thanks a lot! That's actually where I read about it in the first place, but I had forgot about it :) – Étienne Bézout Nov 18 '13 at 22:41
  • Could it be a go-ssip, or an exitchange or redepartee ;-) – long Nov 18 '13 at 22:44
  • @long: I feel like there is a pun I am supposed to get, but I don't... – Étienne Bézout Nov 18 '13 at 22:47
  • go-ssip, playing off of "go" and "gossip". exitchange, a play off of "exit" and "exchange" (as in to talk). Redepartee, as in continuously attempting to depart (the person departing is a departee; re is a predicate indicating a repetition). – Doc Nov 18 '13 at 23:05
  • Thanks, Doc, and sorry, long, for failing to appreciate the intended amusement. I'm a bit embarrassed I didn't quite get it, but I'm a bit tired. – Étienne Bézout Nov 18 '13 at 23:09

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In medical circles it is often referred to as the doorknob syndrome. Typically when the doctor is leaving the examining room and has his hand on the doorknob, the patient goes: by the way doctor or can I ask one more thing ...

user49727
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  • Thanks for your input! That's very interesting and I hadn't heard it before. I can certainly see how it could be very frustrating for doctors. I upvoted your answer but didn't "accept" it, as I am hoping to find a more general term. – Étienne Bézout Nov 18 '13 at 22:27
  • I'm sure there is no harm in applying this concept more generally - there is nothing specifically medical about it. But I agree ... maybe there is another expression. – user49727 Nov 18 '13 at 22:36
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    Yes, but to me, "syndrome" indicates some sort of medical problem. – Étienne Bézout Nov 18 '13 at 22:43
  • Perhaps - is there anything medical about the Washington monument syndrome? – user49727 Nov 18 '13 at 22:56
  • I hadn't heard about the "Washington monument syndrome" before; I guess it should be pointed out that English isn't my mother tongue. It is probably true that syndrome could have a meaning outside of the medical context, as suggested for example by Merriam-Webster online dictionary: "... 2. a set of concurrent things (as emotions or actions) that usually form an identifiable pattern". – Étienne Bézout Nov 18 '13 at 23:07
  • I can't really think of a more picturesque expression - but perhaps there is .... – user49727 Nov 18 '13 at 23:13
  • Well, Mari-Lou directed to me to a thread on the same subject in her comment above. As far as I can see, your particular suggestion isn't in this thread (although there are other suggestions involving doorknob), so I appreciate your input. – Étienne Bézout Nov 18 '13 at 23:17
  • Just checked the answers there. They are quite different and I personally wouldn't recommend any of those. As the answerer suggests doorknobbing has been taken over by perverts. The other suggestions have no merit. – user49727 Nov 18 '13 at 23:22
  • Well, maybe you're right. I definitely agree though, that "doorknob" seems to have been given quite a different meaning, thus rendering it completely useless for the (here) intended purpose. – Étienne Bézout Nov 18 '13 at 23:29
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    Not necessarily - I would avoid using it as a verb that's all. If you use it as a 'syndrome' or 'phenomenon' I'm sure you will be safe and fully understood. – user49727 Nov 18 '13 at 23:30
  • Well, I think it's safe to say that the people who are likely to use the word for its vulgar meaning, may not necessarily appreciate such a distinction in a conversation. – Étienne Bézout Nov 18 '13 at 23:34
  • @user49727: I wonder if you could post this answer to my original question. I know it's ancient and I think I even accepted an answer, but I think your version (with "syndrome" to remove any, um, sexual implication) is better. – Marthaª Dec 29 '15 at 15:55