Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n., A gallant gesture which does not produce the desired effect because of poor execution. v., To offer a small gesture of assistance, which backfires as you trip over your own kind 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.
Behalfgaffe
Created by: Wordfanne
Pronunciation:
Sentence: When Roland stood up to allow a pregnant, fellow-bus-rider his seat, his behalfgaffe of stepping on another woman's skirt hem, pulling its waist to her knees, rather nullified his desired "effect".
Etymology:
Harmoanious
Created by: porsche
Pronunciation: harm/o/nee/us
Sentence:
Etymology: harmonious + harm + maon
Mannerd
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: man-nerd
Sentence: Even though Sal was a brilliant rocket scientist, he was totally inept in social situations, especially when it came to his approach to women. In his dreams he was dashing, witty and chivalrous, but the reality was that he was well-mannerd because his attempts to be polite and helpful were so awkward.
Etymology: mannered (well) polite, courteous + nerd: socially inept
Doomerang
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: doōmərang
Sentence: Wendel tried once again to do the gracious thing. As he attempted to help an older woman carry a heavy bag of groceries to her car only to trip and scatter the contents across the pavement. He would have stayed and helped her clean up the mess but she seemed much more intent on beating him with her cane than retrieving her broken eggs. Once again he found himself to be an expert at creating doomerangs, those deeds that always find a way to come back and boot you in the seat.
Etymology: doom (death, destruction, or some other terrible fate) + boomerang (a curved flat piece of wood that can be thrown so as to return to the thrower)
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COMMENTS:
great sentence - bookowl, 2008-09-24: 13:44:00
Nice word - OZZIEBOB, 2008-09-25: 18:21:00
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Gallantrip
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: gal-uh n-trip
Sentence: Warren sees himself as a knight in shining amour. More often than not he gallantrips if he acts on these loving feelings.
Etymology: gallantry (dashing courage; heroic bravery; noble-minded behavior) + trip (to make a slip, error, or mistake)
Beaujest
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: bo/jest
Sentence: My beau geste quickly turned into a beaujest as I slipped on the ice trying to help an elderly lady across the street. She fractured her hip and I bruised my ego.
Etymology: beau geste (gracious gesture) + jest
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COMMENTS:
Clever! - OZZIEBOB, 2007-10-28: 02:28:00
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Whipgesture
Created by: runner
Pronunciation: wip jest your
Sentence: Ted suffered a painful whipgesture while trying to hold the door open for Lisa.
Etymology: whip: move briskly, gesture: an act toward another person
Ineptsuavitis
Created by: mryder
Pronunciation: in-ept / swah-ve / itis
Sentence: Billy would have loved to open the door for the pretty girl; however his ineptsuavitis set in and he ended up getting himself trapped in the door.
Etymology: inept-ORIGIN originally in the sense unsuitable: from Latin ineptus, from in- ‘not’ + aptus ‘fitted. Suave-ORIGIN Latin suavis ‘agreeable’ itis (suffix)— ORIGIN from Greek -ites
Chivowry
Created by: libertybelle
Pronunciation: shiv-ow-ree
Sentence: The act of Danny helping Kim out of the car and throwing his back out in the process proved to be another fine example of chivowry
Etymology: chivalry + owwww
Hurteous
Created by: bzav1
Pronunciation: rhymes with courteous
Sentence: Jeff's clumsy attempts to avoid the impedestrian, led to several hurteous acts. He had no intention of being nonsiderate.
Etymology: impedestrian - one that walks very slowly down the middle of the sidewalk nonsiderate - antonym for considerate
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COMMENTS:
good one! - remistram, 2007-10-26: 09:22:00
This is a good word...sounds like it feels. - MrDave2176, 2007-10-26: 13:06:00
way to times 'er by 3! - Kevcom, 2007-10-28: 17:20:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn! ~ James
After you. No after you. No after you. No after yooooooeeeeouwwww!
Kevcom - 2007-10-26: 07:38:00
Awesome cartoon James! That is so funny - I was almost dyin' of laughter of the expression on the guys face...
Thanks to Kevcom and Petaj for your hurteous thoughts and magnanimistakian clobbergestures ~ James
Lidipop - 2007-10-26: 10:19:00
I actually printed this one out...it's so good, well done!!!
We must not forget to thank ErWenn again for his generous courteslip. ~ James
purpleartichokes - 2007-10-26: 18:57:00
Yes, thank you ErWenn and James. Fabulous contributions from you two!
yellowbird - 2008-09-24: 11:49:00
Haven't we seen this definition before?
petaj - 2008-09-26: 04:19:00
Yep - looking forward to some new ones
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn. ~ James