Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To stick to your plan even though you've realized it's dumb. n. A stupid plan, especially if it's a career plan suggested by parents, teachers or guidance counselors who want you to be something that you're not.
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.
Schemaniatic
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: sceem/may/neea/tik
Sentence: Being diagnosed with a chronic case of vertigo would have been enough to quash the hopes of most tightrope walkers but Tipsy was such a schemaniatic that she was determined to succeed.
Etymology: scheme (plan) + mania (obsession) + schematic + tic (behavioral quirk)
Portfolidiocy
Created by: Rutilus
Pronunciation: Port-fole-idi-oh-see
Sentence: Sally always took jobs she wasn't meant for. Her CV would show one portfolidiocy after another.
Etymology: Portfolio - selection of skills + idiocy - act of stupidity
Automoron
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /aw-TOM-mohr-on/ (pronounced like the word 'automaton')
Sentence: Jill dreamed of attending Le Cordon Bleu, becoming a chef and, one day, opening her own restaurant. Yet, every day she would go into work like an automoron, hating most of those who worked at the law firm and the other senior partners because they seemed content with their occupations. Her parents had prepared her well for a career in law, but ultimately she felt that her job lacked fulfillment.
Etymology: Automaton - a self-operating machine or mechanism, especially a robot, performing routine tasks (from Greek, automatos "self-acting") + Moron - a person who is notably stupid or lacking in good judgment (from Greek, moros "foolish, dull")
Modusoperandumb
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: moh/duhs/op/uh/ran/dum
Sentence: A parent who pushes a child into an activity, or area where the child has no known ability, or confidence is performing an act of modusoperandumb.
Etymology: modus operandi (an unvarying, or unyielding act, method, or procedure) + dumb
Dreamvocation
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: dreem vo kay shun
Sentence: Stella's dreamvocation was not the one her folks had planned out for her. They saved for her to attend Harvard, get her MBA and then take over their family potato business when they retired. This was at odds with her lifelong goal of being head greeter at Walmart.
Etymology: Dream Vacation (holiday of a lifetime) & Vocation (career,intended job)
Vocaterror
Created by: TJayzz
Pronunciation: Vo-kay-ta-rer
Sentence: From a young age, Jane had always dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer. And now that she was 18 she was determined to get into ballet school, though all of her friends told her that, at 20 stone she would not be accepted. Even her own mum pointed out that she was being a vocaterror, but still she wouldn't listen.
Etymology: Vocation (a strong pull towards a path in life) + error (mistake) = vocaterror
Modusoperandumb
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: moh/duhs/op/uh/ran/dum
Sentence: A parent who pushes a child into an activity, or area where the child has no known ability, or confidence is performing an act of modusoperandumb.
Etymology: modus operandi (an unvarying, or unyielding act, method, or procedure) + dumb
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COMMENTS:
Welcome back, Stevenson0! - Nosila, 2009-06-08: 21:27:00
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Knockupation
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: nok u pay shun
Sentence: Contrary to what her family and guidance counsellors decided, Rosa kept her nose to the grindstone to avoid her planned knockupation as a Nobel-prize-winning writer. Yes, instead she was going to hone her skills and become a sharp-nosed reporter for the Daily PlanIt.
Etymology: Knock (find fault with;point out flaws;express criticism of) & Occupation (career; way of earning income)
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COMMENTS:
I guess work isn't what it's knocked up to be. - mrskellyscl, 2009-06-08: 10:30:00
I guess work isn't what it's knocked up to be. - mrskellyscl, 2009-06-08: 15:49:00
Sounds like a relative of the school of hard knocks. Good word! - Mustang, 2009-06-08: 21:38:00
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Tragictory
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: tra jik tor ee
Sentence: Lily stuck to her career plan, which was always to become a famous Opera singer...a real diva. She studied Italian, knew all the words to every aria and dreamed of debuting at La Scala or The Met. But her career plan was on a tragictory course. The one thing that she forgot was that she could not sing a note, never mind reach the high notes a soprano needs to achieve to become a star. Her frustration just made her become a demanding diva instead to her friends and family. Too bad, she never got a Handel on the old talent thing.
Etymology: Tragic (very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction) & Trajectory (path, orbit)
Undertermining
Created by: scissorlips
Pronunciation: UN-der-term-MINE-ing
Sentence: The way our country clings to foreign policy which is so clearly flawed with such resolution can only be considered undertermining.
Etymology: From undermine: (to lessen or deplete the strength of) + determined: (no hesitation or wavering)
Comments:
Today's definition is inspired by Johnny Bunko's Career Secret # 1: "There is no plan". See: "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" by Dan Pink. Thanks Dan! ~ James
Nosila - 2008-04-28: 22:24:00
I can usually get the new word by 10:00 pm MDT, but last night it was late and I eventually had to flake out to get up for work. Hope it's "on time" tonight!Cheers!
Yes Nosila, I was working way too late last night. I got stuck between few words, or something like that... but eventually I got it done. Thanks! ~ James
Today's definition is inspired by Johnny Bunko's Career Secret # 1: "There is no plan". See: "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" by Dan Pink. Thanks Dan! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by johnnybunko. Thank you johnnybunko. ~ James