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.

Create | Read

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.

Paraphonics

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)

| Comments and Points

Mirrorator

Created by: galwaywegian

Pronunciation: myrrh oh ray tor

Sentence: The mirrorator's dramatic rise to world renown evaporated as soon as his plane touched down in Nantucket

Etymology: orator mirror

| Comments and Points

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)

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

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

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Blendguistics

Created by: ozzymars

Pronunciation: blend-gwuis-tics

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

Etymology: blend+linguistics

| Comments and Points

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)

| Comments and Points

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

| Comments and Points

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.

| Comments and Points

Lingle

Created by: ErWenn

Pronunciation: /ˈlɪŋɡl/

Sentence: George had never heard a true French accent before, so when he started lingling on his visit to Paris, he sounded like Pepé Le Pew and got the snot beaten out of him at a café.

Etymology: From lingo + mingle

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

nice word - wordmeister, 2007-03-20: 23:21:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points