Vote for the best verboticism.

'Honey, are you awake?'

DEFINITION: n. An idea that pops into your head just before you fall asleep, which is so big and brilliant, or else so dark and scary, that it keeps you awake all night long. v. To lie awake in bed with a head full of big dreams.

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Verboticisms

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Insomniapiphany

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: insämnēəpifənē

Sentence: After sitting up almost all night with what he thought was an insomniapiphany, John finally dozed off. When he woke up again he couldn’t remember the idea at all. The only thing he knows for sure is that work is going to be a beast today.

Etymology: insomnia (habitual sleeplessness; inability to sleep) + epiphany (a moment of sudden revelation or insight)

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Kawinkythink

Created by: mplsbohemian

Pronunciation: kuh-WIHNK-ee-THIHNK

Sentence: Alex's kawinkythink had him tossing and turning all night--why not a marshmallow creme and jelly sandwich?

Etymology: kawinkydink (folk etymology pronunciation of "coincidence") + wink (as in "forty winks") + think = the coincidence of trying to sleep and having a thought

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Atomniadea

Mrgoodtimes

Created by: Mrgoodtimes

Pronunciation: uh tom nee uh dee uh

Sentence: Boom!! The explosion of a fledgling thought seed hitting her lobes could be heard on the other side of the king size bed. She knew this atomniadea would not let her sleep tonight.

Etymology: Atomic - Insomnia - Idea

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Eurekathought

Created by: josje

Pronunciation: eureka thought

Sentence: i dont want to go to sleep i´ve just got an eurekathought.

Etymology: thinking and eureka.

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Idemic

Created by: timmy

Pronunciation: I dem ic

Sentence: I have an idemic idea!

Etymology:

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Somnabullshit

Created by: suzanne

Pronunciation:

Sentence: Lasr night I had a somnabullshit bout how to solve global warming using papaya

Etymology: Somna meaning sleep (Lat) bullshit meaning something that sounds good but has no basis in reality.

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Premonstermare

Created by: Bulletchewer

Pronunciation: pre-mun-stir-mayr

Sentence: Dennis Skinner's premonstermare of a plot to quietly poison and thus kill the terrifying legacy of his beloved Mrs Thatcher caused the beast to stir more than a junkie's coffee.

Etymology: From "pre-" meaning "before", "premonition" meaning "inappropriate and patronizing", "monster" meaning "Mrs Thatcher" and "mare" meaning "Mrs Thatcher/old, barely-female horse".

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COMMENTS:

petaj Huh? premonition - inappropriate and patronizing. Some subtlety there I just can't see - maybe a Dennis Skinner quote? - petaj, 2007-04-09: 07:18:00

A dream that occurs right before PMS. - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-09: 14:50:00

Premonition doesn't fit here, hence inappropriate. The fact I explain "pre-" is patronizing. Contrived as ever. No Skinner quote, just nods at "the Beast of Bolsover", as he is affectionately known. But if you're looking for references, did you get all/any of the Zeppelin refs for my word "gallowsbeaver"? - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-09: 15:44:00

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Drowsiphany

zrotv

Created by: zrotv

Pronunciation: drouz-ĭf'ə-nē

Sentence: My eyelids were weighted and thoughts diffused to nothingness as sleep was to take hold momentarily. Suddenly I had a drowsiphany. It was in that sedate state the the schematics for the flux-capacitor became clear as day.

Etymology: Drowse (To be half-asleep) + epiphany (A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.)

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Eurekawake

Created by: sarabeth20

Pronunciation: yur-ee-kah-way-k

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Thoughtywink

petaj

Created by: petaj

Pronunciation: th-or-tee-wink

Sentence: Being a particularly creative type, Michelangelo was prone to thoughtywinks which allowed him only very light sleep for extremely short periods. He longed for a solid night of deep sleep.

Etymology: thought (mental process that generates ideas) + forty winks (a short light nap)

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COMMENTS:

Almost as good as "thoughtdiscount". Gets a vote. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-09: 05:27:00

Cute word! - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-09: 06:00:00

Also sounds like "naughty winks" -- gets my vote. - wordmeister, 2007-04-09: 23:05:00

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-09: 00:03:00
Thank you to Dan Pink for sponsoring this week's Right-Brain Verbotomy Contest and creativity prize. ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-09: 11:29:00
What happened last week? Read Verbotoweek! A look back at last week's wickedest words and funniest comments... Edited by "Weeklink", one of our top players who from some reason, perhaps self-preservation, prefers to remain anonymous! See: Verbotoweek in the Verbotomy Blog.

Bulletchewer - 2007-04-09: 15:52:00
Wonder if this happened to Thomas Edison. Oh, and in a related piece of propaganda, vote for Wordmeister's "Nightbulb"! PS Great (if slightly embarrassing) blog!

wordmeister - 2007-04-09: 18:04:00
Hey Bulletchewer, Thanks for the vote of support! I guess I managed to skip through my own premonstermare without getting trampled...

Bulletchewer - 2007-04-09: 18:37:00
Just wondering if anyone else is ineligible for this week's contest. Who's up for a Sir Geoffrey?

toadstool57 - 2007-04-09: 21:34:00
James - cool that you spotlighted CFLs.

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-10: 00:07:00
Thanks toadstool57. We're just trying to create some environmentally friendly ideas. ~ James

OZZIEBOB - 2008-06-21: 19:35:00
Excellent.

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2009-10-26: 02:14:00
Today's definition was suggested by wordmeister. Thank you wordmeister. ~ James