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...
You have two votes. Click on the words to read the details, then vote your favorite.
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).
Dogma
Created by: ziggy41
Pronunciation: dawg-muh
Sentence: My pet's dogma caused my guests to feel quite uneased.
Etymology: Dog (standard pet) + Dogma (system of principles or standards)
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
Fauxpaw
Created by: daisy
Pronunciation: fo-pah
Sentence: Yes, Mr. Whiskers has a little problem with the humping, pardon his fauxpaw.
Etymology:
Domestichated
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: dumb est ikk hay tid
Sentence: His version of domesticated was more like domestichated in her opinion, she thought as the great hound nuzzled into her crotch with such force as to spill her martini, but if his wallet is anything like the size of his dog, it might be worth persevering.
Etymology: domesticated, hated
Petophile
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: petəfīl
Sentence: There is a rule at the dog park that no children under 12 should enter the off-leash area. To do so often results in the children being knocked over and petophiled by most of the male and many of the female dogs present. Looks like that **Birds & Bees** talk may need to be moved up on the calendar.
Etymology: pet (a domestic or tamed animal or bird kept for companionship or pleasure and treated with care and affection) + pedophile (a person who is sexually attracted to children)
Crotchsniff
Created by: playdohheart
Pronunciation: crotch-sniff
Sentence: "I... don't put dog food in my pants," Mary said, awkwardly fending off the dog's crotchsniff. She was awful at first dates.
Etymology: "crotch sniff" possibly the most embarrassing experience with another person's pet
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
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
That story is so funny it must be true! - wordmeister, 2007-04-28: 22:49:00
----------------------------
Slobberfactor
Created by: jedijawa
Pronunciation: slaw-ber-fact-tor
Sentence: Bills dog had that slobberfactor where he thinks everyone is his friend and seeks to share his saliva.
Etymology: saliva + factoring
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Excellent word. - ErWenn, 2007-04-29: 20:07:00
----------------------------
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)
----------------------------
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
----------------------------
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