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.
Lexidapt
Created by: ziggy41
Pronunciation: (lecks-uh-dapt)
Sentence: Musicians are somewhat known for the ability to lexidapt one's speech within minutes.
Etymology: From Greek "lexis-" (word) and Latin "adaptare" (to fit, to adjust).
Versonify
Created by: jasonmichaelhayes
Pronunciation: ver-son-i-fy
Sentence: To better convey his lessons, Mr. Taylor succumbed to SMS versonification.
Etymology: Like personify, but in verse.
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
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
Always been a bit confused about the use of locution and elocution - artr, 2009-10-07: 11:30:00
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Dialecturer
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: dy aa lek tur er
Sentence: When Professor Higgins gave one of his English Literature courses, he always spoke with the accent of the writer. For Burns, he'd burl his r's to sound Scottish;for Shakespeare he spoketh hey nonny nonny in the quaint speech of the time and for Chaucer, he perfected olde English so well, none could understand a word he spaketh. He was a true dialecturer.
Etymology: Dialect (accent, the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people) & Lecturer (someone who lectures professionally, a public lecturer at certain universities)
Verbmitate
Created by: juliar
Pronunciation:
Sentence: The skinny white boy verbmitated the gangsters and got shot.
Etymology: comes from "verbal", meaning word, and mitate, as in "imitate".
Dialectick
Created by: Nuwanda
Pronunciation: die-a-leck-tick
Sentence: For most of his life, Joe was able to avoid mishap caused by his dialectick. Growing up in Central Iowa, no one seemed to notice or care much when he affected the speech patterns of a Keokuk-ian or Des Moines-ite. But his dialectick did not serve him well when he got a job at the Starbucks across the street from U.N. headquarters. He was fired after two hours because of complaints that he was taunting the customers.
Etymology: Dialect (dialect n. A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety of speech.) + tic (A habitual spasmodic muscular movement or contraction, usually of the face or extremities)
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)
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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Grammaeleon
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: gramēlyən
Sentence: Joe is what is referred to as a military brat. As he grew up his family changed homes as often as some people change their underwear. Everywhere they lived he adopted the regional vernacular complete with inflections and slang. He was a regular grammaeleon, changing to match his language the local background. From Texas to California to Jersey and many points between, he collected many colloquialisms. As an adult he seems confused at times spouting strangely mixed phrases like **Fugget abowt it Ya*all dudes**.
Etymology: grammar (the whole system and structure of a language or of languages in general, usually taken as consisting of syntax and morphology including inflections and sometimes also phonology and semantics) + chamaeleon (a small slow-moving Old World lizard with a highly developed ability to change color)
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COMMENTS:
I newt it would be a good word! - Nosila, 2009-10-07: 01:28:00
like it... - mweinmann, 2009-10-07: 07:52:00
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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