Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. Embarrassing pet behavior; may be perfectly natural for the pet, but often makes humans feel self-conscious or ill at ease. v. To be embarrassed by your pet's beahviour
Verboticisms
Click on each verboticism to read the sentences created by the Verbotomy writers, and to see your voting options...
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Prehumptuous
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /pri-HUHMP-choo-uhs/
Sentence: After his incarceration in 'the pen', and his subsequent release into society, Fido displayed behavior that could only be described as prehumptuous. Fido's owner, Owen, could scarcely have a date drop by his apartment, or even his own mother, without Fido first pawing and then birddogging them. Needless to say, that made for some quite embarrassing visits.
Etymology: Presumptuous - impertinently bold behavior; forwardness (from Latin, præsumere "to take beforehand") & Hump - [as in 'humping'] a bad pet habit often displayed by canines; and particularly Fido! (slang origin of the word is uncertain; first published use in 1785)
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COMMENTS:
Great words this week everyone. Been travelling a lot, so I know this is way late, but I couldn't help adding my complaints about that absolute hound, Fido. Sorry metro, but he really is a "Bad Dog!!" - Tigger, 2008-07-06: 03:46:00
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Creaturediscomfort
Created by: TJayzz
Pronunciation: Cree-chur-diss-cumf-ort
Sentence: When Linda invited Jane round for coffee at her flat she accepted reluctantly. Remembering last time she went round there, when her dog, Poochiepie, decided to lick parts of himself she never thought he could reach, then promptly jumped up on her lap in an effort to lick her face. Luckily she swerved just in time to avoid the horrorifying situation. She never wanted to feel that sense of creaturediscomfort again. At least this time she will be ready for anything!
Etymology: Creature (a living being, in particular an animal as distinct from a person.) from Latin Creare 'produce' + Discomfort ( Slight anxiety or embarrassment.) = Creaturediscomfort
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COMMENTS:
Great etymology. Good word.
FIDO says he never met POOCHIEPIE and was incarcerated at the time of the incident. - metrohumanx, 2008-07-04: 08:11:00
I guess that explains why our cat has such bad breath - Jabberwocky, 2008-07-04: 10:41:00
Great word...my brother-in-law reckons dogs their privates after they lick humans to get the taste out of their mouths! - Nosila, 2008-07-05: 00:18:00
oops "dogs lick their privates" - Nosila, 2008-07-05: 00:19:00
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Embareassment
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: embarasmənt
Sentence: When the family went to the beach, they always took their golden retriever Sam. He was good at keeping an eye on the kids. When he attempted to stop Sarah from going in the water by grabbing her swim suit they all laughed that it looked like the old Coppertone ads. Now that Sarah is 16, they aren\'t laughing so much. Now it’s just an enbareassment.
Etymology: embarassment (a feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness) + bare ass
Petrouble
Created by: allawson
Pronunciation: Pet Trouble
Sentence: Rover jumped up on Judy as she came out the door and john was petroubled.
Etymology: The mush I call a brain
Petifoul
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: pet/i/fowl
Sentence: Fred's dog, Fido, always sniffs, licks and slobbers when he meets people. Fido is a petifoul. Anybody who has been petifouled, hates petifoulers.
Etymology: pet + foul
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COMMENTS:
Poor Fido's really copping a hammering today. Does anyone actually know someone with a dog called Fido? - petaj, 2007-04-27: 21:31:00
I know someone with a phone called fido... - wordmeister, 2007-04-29: 06:03:00
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Chewgrined
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: chew-grinned
Sentence: "Puppies will be puppies," Dan thought when Abbey, his new labrador retriever pup chewed up his shoes, gloves, daughter's homework, carpet, furniture and woodwork; however, he was really chewgrined when his neighbor came to inquire about his cat.
Etymology: chew + chagrined: feeling or caused to feel uneasy and self-conscious
Pettiquette
Created by: splendiction
Pronunciation: PET i ket
Sentence: Herb's labrador Bert had a dogs' pettiquette when greeting strangers. While it was embarrassing for Herb, Bert felt it natural to taste a stranger.
Etymology: From: ettiquette and pet.
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COMMENTS:
petticularly good word! - Nosila, 2009-11-14: 00:36:00
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Geneticat
Created by: CharlieB
Pronunciation: jen-et-ee-cat
Sentence: Miss Smythe was rather embarrased when Felix spayed the furniture in front of her guests. But she accepted that it was part of her puss's geneticat.
Etymology: genetic (influenced by genes) + cat (a domesticated feline) + etiquette (a code for social behaviour)
Snuffleupaguest
Created by: purpleartichokes
Pronunciation: snuf-full-up-a-gest
Sentence: My future mother-in-law had just walked in the door when much to my chagrin-tintin, my dog, Ernie, decided it was an appropriate moment to stick his nose in her crotch and snuffleupaguest.
Etymology: snuffle up a guest, snuffleupagus (A Sesame Street character with a very long nose.)
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COMMENTS:
That's...that's a fantastic word. - ErWenn, 2007-04-27: 09:19:00
When Ernie is behaving himself does he snuggleupaguest? - petaj, 2007-04-27: 21:26:00
Love chagrin-tintin too! - wordmeister, 2007-04-29: 05:57:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by purpleartichokes.
Thank you purpleartichokes! ~ James
Yes the rumors are true. This week we are offering the The Verbotomy Cup as prize for the top player of the week. See details on the Verbotomy Blog ~ James
Jabberwocky - 2007-04-27: 12:54:00
Hi Verbotomy, Those cups (mugs)are really great. Would it be possible for any of us to purchase ones even if we don't win?
Hi Jabberwocky, Glad you like the Verbotomy Cup! It is our wampeter, and as such I don't think we would sell it, because that might turn it into a MacGuffin. ~ James
Is it our waxing or waning wampeter? What's the other one (since a karass always has exactly two wampeters)?
I believe it is still waxing. And think that Dan Pink's right brain is the other wampeter. ~ James
mana1066 - 2007-05-06: 23:04:00
some of that went right over my head. whine! i want a cup too!
Quit a tail from the punster extrordinaire! Poor FIDO is the Lee Harvey Oswald of doggie misbehavior.
Today's definition was suggested by purpleartichokes. Thank you purpleartichokes. ~ James