Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To unconsciously adopt the vocal mannerisms and linguistic stylings of the people with whom you are speaking. n. A speaker who adopts the vocal mannerisms of their audience.
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.
Chameleunaware
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: cuh-meal-ee-un-ah-wear
Sentence: everyone at the old folks home found it amusing when the young janitor started saying things like 'whippersnapper' and 'in my day'... but even more amusing was that he was totally chameleunaware
Etymology: chameleon, unaware
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COMMENTS:
Nice switcheroo on the typical linguistic ageism. - wordmeister, 2007-03-20: 10:19:00
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Sheeper
Created by: josje
Pronunciation: sheeeeeeper
Sentence: you copy everything you are an sheeeper
Etymology: as in sheep who will follow anithing.
Vernaculitis
Created by: Sed8ed
Pronunciation: vern-ack-u-li-tis
Sentence: She suffered from a severe case of vernaculitis after living in the south for so many years.
Etymology:
Mimeojargon
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: mim/ee/uh/jar/gon
Sentence: After spending many hours interviewing high school students, the counsellor's mimeojargon became part of her life and her friends just didn't understand her.
Etymology: mimeograph + jargon
Copychat
Created by: Bulletchewer
Pronunciation: cop-ee-chat
Sentence: Leanne would copychat his posh accent to make her client feel more at ease.
Etymology: From "copy cat" and "chat".
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COMMENTS:
exchatullent word! - wordmeister, 2007-03-20: 10:14:00
You got my vote. Our words seem similarly inspired - great minds... :D - Discoveria, 2007-03-20: 10:31:00
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Slangfreudianslip
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: slang/froydian/slip
Sentence: Oops another slangfreudianslip - I must get back to my psychoanalysis
Etymology: slang + freudian slip + sangfroid
Spongespeak
Created by: mplsbohemian
Pronunciation: SPUHNJ-speek
Sentence: After five minutes of conversation, the Cincinnatian already spongespoke his Atlanta friend's drawl.
Etymology: sponge (as in absorbancy) + speak
Assimilinguistics
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: ass imm ill in gwist icks
Sentence: his particular brand of assimilinguistics failed to let him blend in with his children's friends.
Etymology: assmilate, linguistics
Scameleon
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: skamēlyən
Sentence: A big part of the politician’s popularity is because he is a scameleon. Whatever group he is talking to is the group he is part of. If speaking to blue-collar workers, the sleeves are rolled up and the language a bit rough. A chat with business leaders prompts the three-piece suit and corresponding jargon. When pressed, followers can’t even specify what party he belongs to. He could be a liberal Republican or a moderate Democrat.
Etymology: scam (a dishonest scheme; a fraud) + chameleon (a small slow-moving Old World lizard with a prehensile tail, long extensible tongue, protruding eyes that rotate independently, and a highly developed ability to change color)
Clonilinguist
Created by: Sketchy
Pronunciation: clone-ILL-ling-WIST
Sentence: Mr. Hubbard is a clonilinguist. His mind auotmatically takes on the speech patterns of the people around him.
Etymology: Clone, Linguist
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COMMENTS:
lol...i thought it was clever, but is more of a noun??? - Sketchy, 2007-03-20: 16:49:00
Loving the slightly risque pun here- even if it was unintentional. - Bulletchewer, 2007-03-20: 18:07:00
definitely funny - wordmeister, 2007-03-20: 23:56:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic.
Thank you Osomatic! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic. Thank you Osomatic. ~ James