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'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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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

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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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Mimaccent

erasmus

Created by: erasmus

Pronunciation: mi mac sent

Sentence: Doris was terrible for putting on a mimaccent every time she spoke to someone. Even South Africans thought she was one of them until she said she came from Chawley.

Etymology: from mimic and accent

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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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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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Vernaculitis

Created by: Sed8ed

Pronunciation: vern-ack-u-li-tis

Sentence: She suffered from a severe case of vernaculitis after living in the south for so many years.

Etymology:

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Copychat

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: kop-ee-chat

Sentence: I don't want to say that Tom is feeble-minded but whenever he talks to anybody for more than a few minutes he ends up sounding just like them. This can be embarrassing when he talks to someone with a distinctive voice who thinks they are being mocked. Last week a woman with a pronounced stutter slapped him.

Etymology: copycat (a person or thing that copies, imitates, mimics, or follows the lead of another) + chat (to converse in a familiar or informal manner)

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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

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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:

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

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Locanaut

Created by: sisica

Pronunciation: LO-kah-not

Sentence: Did you hear that guy just locanaut? He said "y'all" and "ya reckon" but he told us he's from Oregon! I don't think they talk like that in Oregon!

Etymology: Loca -- from Local Naut -- from the Greek "naut" which means pertaining to ships or sailors, but used in "astronaut" as in a "star sailor." In this case, it would imply "sailing" of regions. Of course, considering that it sounds like "NOT," it also serves as a play on the words, suggesting "Local -- NOT!!"

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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