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.
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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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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Petsniff
Created by: remistram
Pronunciation: pet - sniff
Sentence: Out of the corner of her eye, Peg knew she was going to be petsniffed by Coco as he stared longingly at her derriere.
Etymology: pet (domestic animal, as in dog) sniff (to perceive by or as by smelling)
Pettyquette
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: petty/ket
Sentence: It was a pet peeve of Sue's that every time she encountered Mark and his dog the pettyquette involved substantial sniffing and licking
Etymology: pet + etiquette + petty (contemptible)
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COMMENTS:
PETTYQUETTE is very good.
Let me guess- mark's dog was named.....FIDO! - metrohumanx, 2008-07-04: 07:56:00
Great word - TJayzz, 2008-07-04: 12:20:00
Excellent! - Mustang, 2008-07-04: 17:13:00
Very nice. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-07-05: 06:57:00
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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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Petpesterous
Created by: suzanne
Pronunciation: pet-pess-ter-us
Sentence: lilly was shite on one side of her usually overly made up face after snuffles petpesterous behaviour. Snuffles was realising that Maybellines beige fantasy number five was much tastier that Aunty May's Ivory dust, by yardley
Etymology: pet- domestic animal pest - a living thing that irritates, annoys or damages us- pronoun, first person plural
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COMMENTS:
I meant white not shite, though it does still retain meaning. freudian slip maybe, anyway i didn't mean to be rude. Sorry. - suzanne, 2007-04-27: 10:48:00
My dog is guilty of shite, a.k.a., An Inconvenient Poop that occurs in the neighbor's yard, in front of the neighbor, which inspired this definition. - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-27: 11:05:00
How about adding preposterous to your etymology? - petaj, 2007-04-27: 21:04:00
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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
Hypersnorgascity
Created by: verysimplegame
Pronunciation: hi-pur-snore-gah-ci-tee
Sentence: Prince's hypersnorgacity manifested itself infrequently, but when it did, Beth knew no Wet-Wipes™ could clean the stains from her soul.
Etymology: Hyper+snorgle+acity
Labradiculous
Created by: vetmommy2
Pronunciation: "Lab-ra-DICK-u-luss"
Sentence: Hershey's chocolate Labradiculous behaviour was both a source of delight and frustration for his master, who vicariously enjoyed watching his dog interject his snout, while pretending to scold him.
Etymology: labrador retriever+ ridiculous
Slurpetedness
Created by: christinepucser
Pronunciation: slur pet ed ness
Sentence: I do not like to expose my friends to my best friend's habit, slurpetedness.
Etymology:
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COMMENTS:
vote for me please - christinepucser, 2007-04-28: 13:53:00
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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