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
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Faunagaffe
Created by: metrohumanx
Pronunciation: FA-NUH-GAF
Sentence: Rescued from an animal shelter in her youth, KATIECAT returned my affection by killing a rabbit and bringing it home. The neighborhood children were grossed out by this feline FAUNAGAFFE, but they're sure to experience many more examples of misguided animal behavior as they grow up.
Etymology: FAUNA-animals in general + GAFFE- a socially inappropriate act or faux pas (Fr- false step)
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COMMENTS:
True story-exceeded only by the boorish behavior of irresponsible pet owner apologists whose permissive approach to animal discipline results in the alarming rise of leg-humping incidents, pit bull attacks and random neighborhood defecation incidents.
- metrohumanx, 2008-07-04: 07:40:00
verbotomists really struck a nerve with all the FIDO references today - we are into the dogdays of summer though so not surprising you would get so dogmatic about it - love your word btw - Jabberwocky, 2008-07-04: 10:33:00
Metro, do you really want us to BIRDen you with CATastrophic tails of PETophilia? As a proud owner of many species, we all know that the little rascals are capable of many ASPects of antihuman social behavior.I could get HORSE talking about my experiences on this animal planet, but truly dogs do drool the most, even though hamsters are gnawty, guinea pigs squeal on you, bunnies carrot not a bit about your feelings, turtles are shell-shocked, lizards lounge at will and fish annoy you just for the halibut. Budgies won't budge, canaries sing to the authorities and cats, well they'd be good poker players, not a shred of emotion shown on their smug faces. But keep up the good words...we are all fauned of you! - Nosila, 2008-07-05: 00:16:00
Seems like Katiecat's faunagaffe is largely fawnagaffe. Another top word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-07-05: 06:54:00
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Petified
Created by: vermeulenstevos
Pronunciation: Pet-tea-fied
Sentence: Every time my girlfriend comes over I'm petified that Max might jump her
Etymology: Pet-animal kept at your home and cared for petrified-being scared
Nonmannerism
Created by: ekath
Pronunciation: non-man-er-ism
Sentence: My dog's most striking nonmannerism is her tendency to rub her butt on the stairs (for some obscure medical reason). My little brother, watching this, tried to imitate her and ended up getting carpet burn on his rear.
Etymology: from non + "man" + mannerism
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COMMENTS:
That story is so funny it must be true! - wordmeister, 2007-04-28: 22:49:00
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Cringelick
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: KRINJ-lick
Sentence: Roxie spoke calmly; but as I looked at her countenance I observed a strange expression pass over it. "Are you in pain, Roxie?" I asked. " Not exactly, Bob," she answered; though I don't wish to alarm you by telling what Fido is about to do. As I watched Fido, muddy paws and all, was quickly making his way towards a lady dressed from head to toe in pink. In the next second, to my horror, his tail wagging fawnishly, and with his paws placed firmly on her waist, he planted his slobbery tongue on her chin. Although there was nothing I could do that was likely to do any good; but, by way of an apology, I try to explain to her about Fido's friendly zanimality for persons dressed in pink; whilst, at the same time, hoping that my love for Fido would carry me through this attack of cringelick, or whatever it was.
Etymology: CRINGE: To draw one's self together as in fear or crouch with base humility; to wince & LICK: to pass the tongue over the surface of, as to moisten, taste, or eat. ZANIMALITY: zany & animal & -ity.
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COMMENTS:
VERY creative Ozziebob.
But as FIDO's attorney, I must inform you that character assasination is prohibited by law.
FIDO has paid for his crimes and is prevented from obtaining gainful employment by these constant media attacks on his character.
I appeal to the pubic's sense of fair play and implore you to stop dragging FIDO's name through the mud and bringing it inside covered in dog saliva and leaving it on my good rug.... - metrohumanx, 2008-07-04: 08:06:00
I love zanimality too - Jabberwocky, 2008-07-04: 10:38:00
I have heard of other dogs who do this. Perhaps there's a cringelick epizootic? - Mustang, 2008-07-04: 17:12:00
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Crotchety
Created by: lumina
Pronunciation: crotch/itty
Sentence: Rumor has it that Doug and Fido had been banned from the dog park due to many complaints. It seems Fido was becoming more and more crotchety. So much so that even men started to call in complaints.
Etymology: I think it's obvious. :)
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COMMENTS:
If you think FIDO was despicable, you should meet ROVER!
CROTCHETY is very apt, but why is it always about sex? - metrohumanx, 2008-07-04: 07:58:00
great twist to the word - Jabberwocky, 2008-07-04: 10:39:00
Who we gonna call? Crotchbusters. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-07-05: 07:01:00
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Fauxpaw
Created by: daisy
Pronunciation: fo-pah
Sentence: Yes, Mr. Whiskers has a little problem with the humping, pardon his fauxpaw.
Etymology:
Petabarrassment
Created by: totalyclipse
Pronunciation: pet a barr assment
Sentence: He was diagnosed with petabarrassment.
Etymology: Said to be from Greek penta (five) with the middle letter removed, as if the previously coined prefix tera- had been formed in the same way from Greek tetra (four).
Poochsmooch
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: pooch smooch
Sentence: Rory's big dog was good at giving a poochsmooch to anyone he met. That's probably why he called him Kissingrrr.
Etymology: Pooch (pet dog)& Smooch (enthusiastic kiss)
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
Profaunation
Created by: airlie
Pronunciation: pro-FAW-nay-shun
Sentence: Eleanor lunged backwards as Fido's attentions elevated from a friendly tail wag to intense profaunation. As though talking to Jed wasn't difficult enough, with his intense staring and too-friendly shoulder rubs and sneaky thigh touches, now his dog was invading her space. Feeling violated, Eleanor exclaimed to Jed, "Help! Your dog is trying to kiss me!" Jed snickered, and grabbed Fido's leash. "Down Fido! Down!" he exclaimed. "Sorry," he said, halfheartedly. "He's just very friendly." Eleanor wondered what else Fido and Jed had in common...
Etymology: PROFANATION: the act of profaning; desecration; defilement; debasement (PROFANE: to misuse something that should be held in reverence or respect) + FAUNA: the animals of a given region or period considered as a whole
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COMMENTS:
great word - hey metro - you missed one - Jabberwocky, 2008-07-04: 10:26:00
Terrific. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-07-05: 07:12:00
PROFAWNATION's nice- but it could be misinterpreted as a nation populated by professional adolescent whitetail deer.....?
Which are SURE to be chased by......FIDO! - metrohumanx, 2008-07-05: 10:19:00
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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