Vote for the best verboticism.

'OMG YGLT Shakespeare'

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

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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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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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Langslide

Created by: purpleartichokes

Pronunciation: lang-slide

Sentence: After interviewing the president, Bob recapped the discussion, and langslided when he talked about North Korea's "nucular" capabilities.

Etymology: language, slide

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COMMENTS:

excellent one! - toadstool57, 2007-03-20: 08:19:00

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Lingwisht

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: ling wisht

Sentence: When the hunky French Professor entered the classroom for the first time, his handsome face, charming mannerisms and infectious accent were found very attractive to all the female students. After listening to him lecture for a while, many in the class starting speaking with the same accent. One girl in particular, became seriously influenced by his Continental speech, developed a mad crush on Monsieur and became a lingwisht herself. Ah, no wonder French is a Romance language...

Etymology: Linguist (someone who studies the humanistic study of language and literature) & Wished (prefer to do something;hoped for;invoked upon)

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Blendguistics

Created by: ozzymars

Pronunciation: blend-gwuis-tics

Sentence: While in the hood, Elliot often spoke in blendguistics.

Etymology: blend+linguistics

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Vomimical

ellianth

Created by: ellianth

Pronunciation: Vo-mim-mic

Sentence: Before he knew it Mr. Teacher was vomimicing Susan's SMS lingo.

Etymology: Vomimmic

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Scameleon

artr

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)

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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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Paraphonics

CharlieB

Created by: CharlieB

Pronunciation: para-fon-icks

Sentence: Scientists in the field of paraphonics have found the perfect example of manipulative parodiction: high-profile chef James Olivier and former Prime Minister Tommy Bleurgh both move easily between Estuary English and RP depending on their audience.

Etymology: parody (to imitate poorly or feebly) + phonic (of or pertaining to speech)

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Echolocution

Created by: splendiction

Pronunciation: EK oh lo koo shun

Sentence: Whenever he could, he would echolocution with his young grandchildren, in an effort to gain their acceptance. Talking with them lead to texting with them, using their own special brand of lingo.

Etymology: From: echo and locution.

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COMMENTS:

Echological thinking... - Nosila, 2009-10-06: 18:08:00

clever - mweinmann, 2009-10-07: 08:19:00

artr Always been a bit confused about the use of locution and elocution - artr, 2009-10-07: 11:30:00

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-03-20: 00:00:33
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic.
Thank you Osomatic! ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2009-10-06: 00:14:00
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic. Thank you Osomatic. ~ James