Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To engage in conversation while using a technical device, like a TV or computer, to keep you sharp, in case the discussion gets dull. n. A two-way conversation which is technically one-sided.
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.
Gadchat
Created by: Carla
Pronunciation: gaj-chat
Sentence: Tim was inseparable from his gadgets. He could not put them down, even to talk to his nearest and dearest. As a result of bitter experience, his family would try to impart important information only during gaps in the gadchat (channel changes, game loading). Yet Tim invariably forgot - or never knew - much of what he had been told.
Etymology: gad (to move restlessly or aimlessly from one place to another) + chat. Wordplay on 'gadget'.
Faultitask
Created by: ErWenn
Pronunciation: /'fol-tE-"task/
Sentence: Natasha liked to pretend that she could check her messages on her cell phone while listening to the lecture, but her teacher knew that she was merely faultitasking.
Etymology: From faulty + multitasking
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COMMENTS:
My teachers hate when I'm faultitasking. Thank goodness I have a laptop so they can't tell. I'm sure my marks would suffer if the knew... - wordmeister, 2007-01-11: 09:50:00
Trust me, they know. As a teacher, I can say that with confidence. What gets on teachers' nerves is not so much when you aren't paying attention but when you're being obvious about it. It's the same difference between trying not to get into a conversation with someone you don't like at a party and actively ignoring everything they say. - ErWenn, 2007-01-11: 20:17:00
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Communescapetion
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: komm mee yoon es kayp shun
Sentence: Dora told Diego, "We need to talk..." Diego hated conversations that started this way, because he knew he was in trouble for something or would have to make big, grown-up decisions or commitments. His favourite ploy was to get busy on his tv/computer etc. so that he had a communescapetion device. Too bad that Dora was smart enough to disable all his cyber-escape toys before their "chat". You can't really blame her...it was a big deal telling this nerd he would have to grow up and be an adult Daddy to a new little nerd!
Etymology: Communication (be in verbal contact; interchange information or ideas) & Escape (an inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy;remove oneself from a familiar environment, usually for pleasure or diversion)
Nonversation
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: nänvərsāshən
Sentence: If Bill is on the computer or the TV is on Sally can count on a lively nonversation.
Etymology: non (not) + conversation (the informal exchange of ideas by spoken words)
Mensyndromeish
Created by: angierox
Pronunciation: men synderome ish
Sentence: dont go all mensyndromish on me now
Etymology: angie
Preconverse
Created by: Koekbroer
Pronunciation: pre-con-vers
Sentence: "Rachel, do you want me to preconverse this to you? I remember every word. I'll even add some beat."
Etymology:
Converspacetion
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: con-ver-space-shon
Sentence: Having a conversation with Jim was more like having a converspacetion. His addiction to the SciFi channel kept his mind in a galaxy far, far away. Jen found it difficult to talk to him about their relationship when he was wearing his Mr.Spock ears. "But Honey," he grinned, "how can you say I'm not listening? I'm all ears!"
Etymology: conversation + space (as in space cadet-unfocused, inattentive)
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COMMENTS:
Sounds like Jim has lots of space between his ears - jrogan, 2009-08-14: 08:37:00
He won't live long and prosper...logical word and sentence, Earthling! - Nosila, 2009-08-14: 12:17:00
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Converstation
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: con/ver/sty/shun
Sentence: He would flip the stations to reply to her questons. Anything on BBC Canada meant she was sounding like his mother and switching to the sports channel meant that he wasn't listening.
Etymology: conversation + TV station
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COMMENTS:
No, no, no... When he converstations to the sports channel, that means he's excited! - wordmeister, 2007-01-11: 09:40:00
He'd get more brownie points clicking into the Women's network - Jabberwocky, 2007-01-11: 11:44:00
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Comments:
ErWenn - 2007-01-11: 20:23:00
I like this definition. If there were a good word (or phrase, more likely) for this, I'd actually consider using it. Same with yesterday's.
Hey Erwin, Thanks for the complement on the definition. I appreciate your feedback! So which word are you going to use? Maybe Faultitasking or Digitalk? How about Flipversation? Or if you want something short -- Gabget? ~ James