Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To unintentionally encourage bad behavior by responding to it in a manner that incites even worse behavior. n. A response designed to stop bad behavior, which paradoxically produces more of it.
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.
Negatentional
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: neg-a-ten-shen-al
Sentence: As a teacher, Mary knew that negatentional responses were equal to posintentional ones to the kids who acted up to get her attention, although the results were disastrous for her classroom management. She soon realized that by nagging Kevin the same result would happen, Kevin would do the opposite of what she wanted to get a response from her. She decided to ignore the inappropriate behavior and reward him for proper behavior, just as she would her kindergarten children, in order for him to get posattention from her.
Etymology: negative: unfavorable or disconfirming + intentional: done deliberately + attention: notice or recognition. Teachers and trainers understand that to some children or animals negative attention is just as good as positive attention because it gives them the reward of recognition and response.
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COMMENTS:
Do I not lie it? Negatory! Good word. - Nosila, 2009-06-30: 17:31:00
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Naggravate
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /NAG-ruh-veyt/
Sentence: Matt was normally an aggressive driver — he practiced 'offensive driving' rather than 'defensive driving' — and when his passengers complained it would only naggravate the situation. Unfortunately, Matt's girlfriend, Mona, still hadn't learned this, and their roadtrips would turn into white-knuckled rollercoaster rides of reckless driving and near accidents, which only grew worse as Mona's screams intensified.
Etymology: Nag - to annoy by persistent faultfinding, complaints, or demands (from Old Norse, gnaga "to complain") + Aggravate - to make worse or more severe; intensify; irritate (from Latin, aggravāre "to burden")
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COMMENTS:
Good word!! - TJayzz, 2008-05-20: 11:28:00
good word. love Mona. - galwaywegian, 2008-05-20: 10:28:00
Was her name Mona Lott? Good Word - Nosila, 2008-05-20: 22:40:00
Yes, it was! Do you know her too? - Tigger, 2008-05-21: 00:30:00
Good word - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 01:20:00
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Reverbirate
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: re - VERB - ihr - ate
Sentence: It seemed that whenever Consuelo would try to motivate her husband, Javier, to behave more civilly, her words would only reverbirate in some dark corner of his psyche and have the opposite effect with him responding in even more outrageous manner.
Etymology: blend of reverberate and irate
Exacerbait
Created by: theCountess
Pronunciation: ex ass er bate
Sentence: Jill would constantly exacerbait Jack to complete exasperation; I think that's why he's now her ex.
Etymology: Exacerbate & Bait
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COMMENTS:
Good one - Nosila, 2010-07-21: 00:15:00
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Baboozle
Created by: melodydrama
Pronunciation: Bah-boo-zle
Sentence: The comment meant to hurry her husband along was a sad baboozle, he only walked slower and they missed their appointment.
Etymology: Baboon+bamboozle
Modifail
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: mod/i/fail
Sentence: As a teacher, I sometimes modifail when a student over reacts in a negative way to an attempted behaviour modifcation causing even further trouble in class.
Etymology: modify + fail
Hamperpetuate
Created by: rebelvin
Pronunciation: HAMper+PERPETUATE
Sentence: Whatever you do, don't even mention his driving, you will only hamperpetuate his bad habits.
Etymology: HAMper+PERPETUATE
Miscourage
Created by: jrogan
Pronunciation: mis-cur-rage
Sentence: Every time Sally miscouraged her boyfriend go slower, he went faster. It didn't matter whether they were on the highway, or in the bedroom.
Etymology: miss + courage as opposed to discourage
Nagression
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: nag resh shun
Sentence: Rhoda Rage always lectured her spouse,Red, about the importance of defensive driving. She also pointed out potential hazards to him along the route...like a person crossing the road, a mile ahead. Or a red light, three blocks away. Although she could not drive herself, she was an expert on what he should be doing. But all her cautions became a form of nagression and irritated the heck out of Red. Her constant comments made him nervous and edgy. He took his frustration out on other motorists. They eventually split up, because he wanted to take another Rhoda and she did not want to see Red anymore.
Etymology: Nag (remind or urge constantly; bother persistently with trivial complaints;worry persistently) & Aggression (violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked;deliberately unfriendly behavior; the act of initiating hostilities;a disposition to behave aggressively;a feeling of hostility that arouses thoughts of attack)
Fortidefy
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: fôrtədifī
Sentence: Joanne knows all about the concept of reverse psychology. It is easy for her to get her children and husband to do what she wants by getting them to fortidefy her nagging.
Etymology: fortify (strengthen or invigorate) + defy (openly resist or refuse to obey)
Comments:
Today's definition is inspired by Amy Sutherland's observation that if we are going to use "progressive animal training techniques" on humans, that we simply need to reward behavior we want and ignore behavior we don't. Of course this is easier said than done, and requires a great deal of self-awareness and self-discipline. In fact, Amy calls it the "Zen of Animal Training". See: "What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage". Thanks Amy! ~ James
Today's definition is inspired by Amy Sutherland's observation that if we are going to use "progressive animal training techniques" on humans, that we simply need to reward behavior we want and ignore behavior we don't. Of course this is easier said than done, and requires a great deal of self-awareness and self-discipline. In fact, Amy calls it the "Zen of Animal Training". See: "What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage". Thanks Amy! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by amysutherland. Thank you amysutherland. ~ James
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