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
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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)
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")
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
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
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)
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
Laughodoom
Created by: metrohumanx
Pronunciation: LAFF-uh-DOOM
Sentence: Cynthia did an excellent impression of her boss, Pat. Her LAUGHODOOM won her the undying respect of her co-workers, a place in corporate legend, and a termination slip.
Etymology: laugh: to release tension by involuntary reaction to humor + doom: a certain and unpleasantly final, end.
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"
Comickaze
Created by: Khikhob
Pronunciation: kämi-käzē.
Sentence: Lampooning her boss right in front of him meant Linda had effectively committed comickaze.
Etymology: Comic + (kami)kaze
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