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.
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")
Extempoorise
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: eks temp oooo reyes
Sentence: her attempt to extempoorise made her a poor ex temp as the poo which hit the fan continued to rise.
Etymology: extemporise (to speak with out preparation) ex-temp, poo, rise.
Bigwigout
Created by: hendrixius
Pronunciation: /big-wig-owt/
Sentence: In the middle of her bigwigout, and despite their boss's presence, John couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the combined spectacle of his work environ.
Etymology: "bigwig" and "wigging out"
Jeersighted
Created by: thegoatisbad
Pronunciation: 'jir-'si-ted
Sentence: Kimberly was on a roll. "Oh hi. I'm Zinnia and I can't distinguish brie from camembert," she mused. And although Kimberly did know a lot about cheese, she did not know that Zinnia had entered the break room behind her. "You're right" she said meekly, "but neither can most people." Kimberly was now in the hot seat, and embarrassed that the sound of laughter had left her jeersighted. Kimberly took off her beret.
Etymology: jeer (deride with mocking) + sighted (having sight) play on nearsighted
Lamploy
Created by: MrDave2176
Pronunciation: v.:lam-PLOY / n.:lam-PLOY-ee
Sentence: Marjorie was lambusted when her boss found her acting the lamployee during bagle-time. lambusted: to be lamploying and get caught by the boss.
Etymology: lampoon is the root for lamployee but lambast is the root for lambust.
Bossted
Created by: thebbass
Pronunciation: boss-sted
Sentence: YOU: "Major calamity just now. Mark and I were in Leonard's office, and Mark was showing me all the Cubans in Leonard's humidor. Mark was all "Our boss has more money than brains!". He thought about stealing some of the cigars, until he turned around and saw Leonard standing in the doorway." ME: "Ouch. Totally bossted."
Etymology: Busted (To get caught in a incriminating, shameful, or humiliating act) Boss (i.e, Bill Lumbergh)
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COMMENTS:
Excellent! - Mustang, 2008-10-21: 22:57:00
Bossferessence! - Nosila, 2008-10-22: 01:19:00
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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)
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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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
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