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.
Urbean
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: ur/bean
Sentence: John's attempt to be urbane, chivalrous, courteous, polite and just plain well-mannered became urbean when his head got jammed in the doorway helping a damsel in distress.
Etymology: urbane + Mr. Bean
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COMMENTS:
Would never have thought to go down the Mr. Bean road. Great word! - purpleartichokes, 2007-10-26: 19:01:00
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Shrivelry
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: shriv el ree
Sentence: When he got caught twice in the revolving door after allowing his date to go through first, Lance A. Lott experienced the agony of shrivelry. Once a knight is enough.
Etymology: Shrivel (to wither;decrease in size,range or extent) & Chivalry (gallantry,courtesy,medieval principles of knighthood)
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
Urbean
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: ur/bean
Sentence: John's attempt to be urbane, chivalrous, courteous, polite and just plain well-mannered became urbean when his head got jammed in the doorway helping a damsel in distress.
Etymology: URBEAN - noun - from URBANE (polite, refined and often elegant in manner) + MR. BEAN
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COMMENTS:
Very clever - OZZIEBOB, 2008-09-25: 18:22:00
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Chivalrust
Created by: Kyoti
Pronunciation: Shiv-all-ruhst
Sentence: Barry's attempt to impress Deanna by juggling chocolate Valentine's hearts not only failed to ignite her interest, but underscored how deeply he suffered from chronic chivalrust.
Etymology: Chivalrous: gallant gesturing + rust: worn from misuse or lack of use.
Fauxcilitation
Created by: milorush
Pronunciation: (n.) fō-sĭl'ĭ-tā'shən; (tr. v.) fō-sĭl'ĭ-tāt'
Sentence: Henri's poor reflexes and terrible eyesight usually turn his eager attempts to help his friends into nightmarish and dangerous moments of fauxcilitation which usually finish up at the local emergency room.
Etymology: Faux = from faux pas = blunder + [fac]ilitation = The act of making easy or easier.
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COMMENTS:
A shade of meaning might include a subconscious lack of desire to actually help out, which might lead to a purposeful poor or "fake" ("faux") effort to assist. - milorush, 2007-10-26: 07:04:00
A shade of meaning might include a subconscious lack of desire to actually help out, which might lead to a purposefully poor or "fake" ("faux") effort to assist. - milorush, 2007-10-26: 07:05:00
Interesting and good blend! - OZZIEBOB, 2007-10-28: 02:28:00
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Magnanamoops
Created by: libwen
Pronunciation: mag 'nan a moopz
Sentence: If it weren't for his spectacular magnanamoops while trying to refill Jill's wine glass, Greg would certainly be on a second date right now.
Etymology: magnanamous + oops
Chivalwrong
Created by: blacklotus90
Pronunciation: \ˈshi-vəl-ˈrȯŋg\
Sentence: Due to Barry' s clumsy nature, his gesture of good faith became a chivalwrong in no time.
Etymology: CHIVALRY + WRONG
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COMMENTS:
The word is chivalright! - Nosila, 2008-09-24: 01:53:00
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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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Oopsamaritan
Created by: hooterbug
Pronunciation: oops/sə mer′ə tən
Sentence: I had a hard time looking concerned when the spinning door trapped the head of the Oopsamaritan that had so gallantly held the door for me.
Etymology: Oops! + Samaritan (A compassionate person who unselfishly helps others)
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COMMENTS:
funny - Jabberwocky, 2008-09-24: 13:18:00
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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