Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v., To facilitate camaraderie among your colleagues by making fun at your boss's expense, only to discover that you-know-who is standing right behind you. n., A professional faux pas made with the best intentions.
Verboticisms
Click on each verboticism to read the sentences created by the Verbotomy writers, and to see your voting options...
You have two votes. Click on the words to read the details, then vote your favorite.
Administraightman
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: ad-min-i-straight-man
Sentence: The boss was the perfect administraightman for Carol until the day he discovered her in the middle of her routine. That was the day she was comic released. Now she's on comic relief because it's hard to find work as an officemocker.
Etymology: administrator: supervisor or boss + straightman: a performer who acts as a stooge for a comedian
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COMMENTS:
comical word - Nosila, 2010-03-18: 17:48:00
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Tomteamery
Created by: remistram
Pronunciation: tom-teem-uh-ree
Sentence: Ever since the boss got a new hair piece the tomteamery has been non-stop.
Etymology: tomfoolery (joke around, goof off)+ team
Springstern
Created by: porsche
Pronunciation: spring/sturn
Sentence: She invited serious sprinstern when she made fun of the boss' voice.
Etymology: Bruce Springsteen (the boss) + stern
Steambuilding
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: steam-building
Sentence: Delia indulged in steambuilding one time too many. The boss finally erupted, snorting coffee out of his nose then bundling her down to the HR department.
Etymology: steam (coming out of the bosses ears) + team building
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COMMENTS:
funny - Jabberwocky, 2007-11-23: 14:50:00
excellent - franke, 2007-11-23: 22:18:00
Clever:good word! - OZZIEBOB, 2007-11-25: 23:06:00
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Shenanigaffe
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: shə-nān'ĭ-gāf
Sentence: Marta usually got a laugh from her coworkers when she would imitate her boss, asking if they remembered to use a cover sheet on their TPS reports, but she eventually realized she'd made a shenanigaffe when their eyes went wide and they began making subtle motions with their hands, pointing behind her.
Etymology: shenanigan - a playful or mischievous act (Origin: 1850–55, Americanism; of obscure orig.) + gaffe - a clumsy social error; a faux pas (from Old French, "hook")
Detaunt
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: dātônt
Sentence: In an act of detaunt, Jesse performed his best impression of the boss firing one of his workers. He is convinced that he added to the camaraderie in the office and that people would have laughed if the boss hadn*t gotten to work early and taken over the performance for real.
Etymology: détente (the easing of hostility or strained relations) + taunt (a remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone)
Mockeriffic
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: mok-uh-rif-ik
Sentence: Janice thought it was great fun to lampoon her boss for her coworkers. It was a sure way get a laugh. Her latest performance was not so warmly received by "Mr. So this is what you do when I'm not here". Though her show proved to be mockeriffic, she was somewhat regretful as she danced out the door in her pink slippers.
Etymology: mockery (an imitation, especially of a ridiculous or unsatisfactory kind) + riff (a reduction in the number of persons employed by a business) + terrific (extremely good; wonderful)
Jeerleader
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: jērlēdər
Sentence: With the office down in the dumps over falling sales figures, and the boss behind closed doors for meetings, Jill took on the role of jeerleader.
Etymology: jeer (make rude and mocking remarks, typically in a loud voice) + cheerleader (a person who leads cheers and applause)
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by Mustang. Thank you Mustang! ~ James
Mustang - 2007-11-23: 02:38:00
What a pleasant surprise to find one of my submissions on display! It's inspiring. :-)
Congratulations Mustang! I am sure your Boss is also quite thrilled. ~ James
Mustang - 2007-11-23: 08:17:00
When I retired 20+ yrs ago I WAS the boss. :-)
Well, you're the still big boss here! ~ James
Jabberwocky - 2007-11-23: 12:12:00
nice save James - I think you just got caught making fun of the boss
Are you trying to fundermine my steambuilding efforts? ~ James
The warm-up act must have been the bossanova.
galwaywegian - 2008-10-21: 08:47:00
extempoorise
galwaywegian - 2008-10-21: 08:47:00
oops
Today's definition was suggested by Mustang. Thank you Mustang. ~ James