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.

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Verboticisms

Click on each verboticism to read the sentences created by the Verbotomy writers, and to see your voting options...

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Mirrormate

Created by: chris

Pronunciation: mi-rerr-mayt

Sentence: Copying the accents and language of people he didn't even know usually ended up with him being thumped - but he couldn't help himself; his urge to mirrormate was totally out of control

Etymology: reflecting (mirror) the style of those around you (mates)

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Slangadapt

Created by: jonobo

Pronunciation: slangadapt

Sentence: I slangadapted faster than expected, my speech-center got infected, no matter how hard i tried to reject it, so i just neglect it.

Etymology: to adapt the surrounding slang. slang + adapt. simple.

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Accentefugue

Created by: Alchemist

Pronunciation: ak-SENT-eh-fyoog

Sentence: Whenever Josh is around Brits, he turns into a helpless accentefugue, peppering his sentences with "luv" "guv" and "quid". Strange, as he has lived his whole life in Brooklyn.

Etymology: accent (pronunciation common to a certain group of people) + fugue (A pathological amnesiac condition during which one is apparently conscious of one's actions but has no recollection of them), with a nod towards accent aigue

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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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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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Verbotomime

Created by: jedijawa

Pronunciation: ver-boto-mime

Sentence: Jedijawa tends to unconsciously verbotomime the dialect and accent of people who he talks to for more than 5 minutes unless he tries very hard not to do so.

Etymology: verbotomy (pandering to the board on this one) + mime (to imitate)

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COMMENTS:

Verbotomimicry is the sincerest form of flattery. Thank you! - Verbotomy, 2007-03-20: 10:27:00

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Vernactitude

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: ver nakt itood

Sentence: My Mother has a vernactitude in communicating with others from different ethnic backgrounds. First of all she speaks slower and louder than normal (apparently in her mind this will help them understand her English words better). She uses far more hand language & gestures and throws in foreign words to better describe what she is trying to say. It matters not that the foreign words are not in the language of that person. She recently spoke to a Chinese waiter and after she slowly and loudly told him her order, ended it with "Capeesh,Garçon?"

Etymology: Vernacular (the everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language);a characteristic language of a particular group) & Aptitude (inherent ability)

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COMMENTS:

Good for mum! - splendiction, 2009-10-06: 22:43:00

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