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.
Fundermine
Created by: bzav1
Pronunciation: rhymes with undermine
Sentence: Bob had to resist the temptation of making a smart ass comment during the boss's presentation because he did not wish to fundermine the point she was addressing and receive the glare of his coworker, Sarah.
Etymology: fun + undermine, synonym - fundercut
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)
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")
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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Bossonono
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: bos so no no
Sentence: Carmen got up on her manager's desk to show off for her colleagues by grinding and gyrating in a frilly dress. It was Friday afternoon and he had gone for the day. Right? Wrong! He came back for his briefcase and to tell her that the white slip she had been flaunting would now be a pink slip.
Etymology: Boss (leader, manager) & Bossa Nova (Brazilian dance, related to the samba) & Oh No No (an utterance of regret)
Bossajova
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: BOS-uh-JOV-vuh
Sentence: When Mr Legree's words: "Perhaps your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others!" boomed loudly across the office, Roxie knew that her bossajova would have serious repurcussions.
Etymology: Based on "bossa nova" a carefree dance & music style; boss; & jovial: good humoured, merry , joking.
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COMMENTS:
funny! - remistram, 2007-11-23: 09:22:00
very good - Jabberwocky, 2007-11-23: 12:00:00
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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
Gafforgaffer
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: gaff for gaf fer
Sentence: If they needed a lucid answer or wanted to make a request that would be remembered, it was wise to ask the boss in the mornings. That was because the boss,Sheldon Sober, had a liquid lunch every day. His lunches also ran overtime, so while this cat was away,the mice would play. Mimi the Mimic could do a hilarious impersonation of inebriated Sheldon, which would endear her to and entertain her co-workers. One day, the pub Sheldon normally frequented ran out of beer several hours after he got there, so he headed back to his office to get a "stiffener" from the "First Aid Kit" in his desk. He arrived in time to find Mimi taking the mick out of him and the staff roaring with laughter. They meekly slunk back to their desks and nothing was said for the rest of the day. In the morning Mimi timidly reported into work, wondering if she still had a job. Sheldon apparently had forgotten her gafforgaffer and commented to her that she did a great Dean Martin impression!
Etymology: Gaffe (a socially awkward or tactless act) & For(Because; by reason that) & Gaffer(a person who exercises control over workers)
Coldbossted
Created by: Nuwanda
Pronunciation: cold-BOSS-ted
Sentence: Luke didn't feel his job offered him many perks, but one undeniable benefit was the feeling his co-workers gave him that he was the funniest guy in the office because he did the best impression of their dufus manager. Even after he was coldbossted by said dufus, Luke swaggered through the cube farm with confidence, winking and mugging at the giggling gaggle as he followed Ron to his office for a long lecture.
Etymology: Cold busted means being caught red-handed at doing something stupid. Altered to incorporate boss.
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