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'So team, what do you think of my new idea?'

DEFINITION: n., An expressive gesture made with the belief that the person it is directed at cannot see it, typically occurs during telephone conversations, email discourses, and behind people's backs. v. To use an unseen gesture to express what you cannot say.

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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.

Electromockery

Created by: verboman

Pronunciation: Electro- Mockery

Sentence: mocking using electronic media

Etymology: electronic + mockery

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Hideandspeak

Created by: bananabender

Pronunciation: HAHYD-n-speek

Sentence: Having had some acting lessons but never playing a paying role, Marla put her "talents" to good use in the office. She hideandspeaks her boss daily by making funny faces and rude gestures while saying all the right things. These days she isn't bothered by work-related stress at all.

Etymology: a play on the children's game hide-and-seek. HIDE: conceal from sight, not speak one's mind, not speak the truth. SPEAK: talk. Also HIDE: the gestures are hidden from the boss. AND SEEK: the boss needs to seek out what the employees REALLY think about it.

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COMMENTS:

Excellent! - ErWenn, 2008-01-28: 10:36:00

Very creative, BB. - Tigger, 2008-01-28: 12:19:00

Oh you bring out the child in all of us ... in the most delightful way! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 12:48:00

Childhood memories come flooding back! Good word! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:53:00

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Sneerleader

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: snērlēdər

Sentence: As Debbie was climbing a ladder wearing the company uniform including an apron emblazoned with a large company logo, one more customer asked "that" question. "Do you work here"? That's when she snapped. She held it together long enough to direct them to their desired item but as they headed to the register, from atop her ladder she turned into a sneerleader. It was all the clerk at the register could do to keep a straight face as Debbie mocked from her elevated perch.

Etymology: sneer (a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone) + leader (the person who leads or commands) derivitive of cheerleader (a person who leads cheers and applause, esp. at a sports event)

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COMMENTS:

I wondered why the checkout clerk was in such a good mood... - wayoffcenter, 2008-11-19: 06:21:00

Rah RAh ! - Nosila, 2008-11-19: 23:14:00

Excellent - OZZIEBOB, 2008-11-20: 00:34:00

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Shomotion

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: sho mo shun

Sentence: When their boss called on a conference call from Honolulu with one of his hare-brained ideas, the office staff did their shomotion repertoire to indicate their disapproval. It worked fine until the boss installed Skype...

Etymology: Show (a public exhibition;expression)& Motion (gesture;non-verbal communcation)

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Rearaction

Created by: TJayzz

Pronunciation: Ree-er-act-shun

Sentence: Norman was completely oblivious to the rearaction that was going on behind his back when he expressed his ideas for the new office decor. Everyone sounded like they were full of praise and approval whilst their hidden gestures told a very different story.

Etymology: Rear(at the back, behind) ORIGIN Old French rere from Latin retro 'back' + Action(a thing done) = Rearaction

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COMMENTS:

Sounds almost kinky...works though. - Mustang, 2008-11-19: 07:58:00

metrohumanx Great word- has slightly militaristic favour, also. - metrohumanx, 2008-11-21: 08:32:00

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Gestrionics

Created by: loxhobabl

Pronunciation: jess-tree-ah-nix

Sentence: I wish I could see your gestrionics now because the truth hurts.

Etymology: gesture + histrionics

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Asnide

Created by: Tigger

Pronunciation: /uh-sniyd'/

Sentence: For once, during the staff meeting, Mr. Leeds was calling in from a remote office, and the staff, normally daunted by his blustery manner, each expressed their true feelings in an asnide directed at the speakerphone, while maintaining their usual, timid responses.

Etymology: aside - actor's lines not heard by others on the stage (Old English, a- + sīd "to one side") + snide - derogatory in a nasty, insinuating manner (Origin unknown, from thieves' slang for "counterfeit or sham")

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COMMENTS:

Funny! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 11:43:00

I like it! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:54:00

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Oblivisign

Created by: ErWenn

Pronunciation: /əˈblɪvəˌsain/

Sentence: Oblivisigning can be intentional and undermining (as in the case of cammoflipoffs and incognigagging), accidental and ineffectual (e.g. imbecignals and pointless pointing), or merely unconscious and superfluous (like redundanods and gratuithrusting).

Etymology: oblivious + sign

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COMMENTS:

Your verboticisms are only excelled by your sentences ... you way with words is ever so large! You bring fun and delight ... in a large way! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 12:47:00

Crazy sentence with some crazy words! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:58:00

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Hexpression

Created by: Banky

Pronunciation: hecks-press-shun

Sentence: While the caller would blather on about savings on international calls of up to 1.3% over other hucksters, Dana would focus on contorting her face into her telemarketer hexpression, which she was convinced would visit bowel cancer upon these rude troglodytes.

Etymology: hex - a curse or malicious spell, expression - a visual depiction of mood or sentiment

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COMMENTS:

very funny - I'll have to try that some time - Jabberwocky, 2008-01-28: 10:54:00

Great idea! Terrific word! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 11:40:00

Haha. Your sentence was LOL-funny! - Tigger, 2008-01-28: 12:09:00

Great word and sentence! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:48:00

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Unseenisms

Created by: Llama

Pronunciation: Un-seen-isms

Sentence: The poor director had no idea of the horrible unseenisms his subordinates were giving him over the phone.

Etymology:

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COMMENTS:

There is a place for this word in our language! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:57:00

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2008-01-28: 00:01:00
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn. ~ James

Maxine - 2008-01-28: 08:57:00
This is a really great cartoon!

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2008-01-28: 11:03:00
Thanks Maxine! ~ James

libertybelle libertybelle - 2008-01-28: 11:12:00
I love the guy making a grab at himself - made me laugh out loud.

silveryaspen - 2008-01-28: 13:16:00
Fun definition, Erwenn. Your cartoon was uproariously funny, James. All the creations were a hoot,great job verbotomists!

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2008-01-28: 14:30:00
ErWenn's definitions always always seem to generate a good laugh. See: Let me hold the door for you... Thanks! ~ James

silveryaspen - 2008-11-20: 08:25:00
Missed you all. Nice to be back.

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2010-04-16: 00:10:00
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn. ~ James