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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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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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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).

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Copychat

Created by: libertybelle

Pronunciation: cop-ee-chat

Sentence: When I first met Floyd, I thought he was mocking my Jersey accent but I soon realized he was just a copychat when he picked up a Brogue when we visited Dublin.

Etymology: copy + chat and a play on the word copycat

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Pronunplacate

Created by: Mrgoodtimes

Pronunciation: Pruh-nuhn-pley-keyt

Sentence: Like dude bro, your pronunplacation of that algorithm was like totally cool. I totally tweeted it.

Etymology: Pronunciation - placate

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Mimidic

Created by: Laala

Pronunciation: The first syllable is stressed.

Sentence:

Etymology: to mimic= to imitate, dicere (latin)= to say

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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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