Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n., The fear that your service representative will retaliate after you have complained. v., To be afraid of bad service because you complained about it.
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.
Counterattack
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: counter attack
Sentence: No sooner had Nelly complained to the insurance officer across the service desk about the poor quality of the repairer's work on her storm-damaged roof, she felt that coil of fear in her stomach. Would this woman counterattack with quick thrust of her letter opener, or was she in for a year delay in getting the ruined carpet replaced.
Etymology: counter attack (retaliation) + counter (where one obtains service in a shop or service centre)
Whinerwager
Created by: remistram
Pronunciation: why-ner-wey-jer
Sentence: Her whinerwager came true, her pasta dish that was too cold came back in a flash steaming hot with a dust bunny on top.
Etymology: whiner (complainer) + wager (risk)
Phalloutbia
Created by: thegoatisbad
Pronunciation: Fal-out-be-ah
Sentence: Zinnia's diet had a few restrictions: "I can't eat oil, flour, meat or milk" she explained. Her tenancy to send back food that wasn't clearly a raw fruit or vegetable horrified Kimberly. "I would never send something back to the Kitchen. Do you know what goes on back there? Hatred, spit and vengeance." But Kimberly's warning meant nothing to Zinnia, "No phalloutbia is as strong as my desire to feel thin."
Etymology: fallout (effect, repercussion) + phobia (fear of)
Gaffatwaphobia
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: gaff at waff o bee a
Sentence: Her gaffatwaphobia was so intense that she called all of the teddy bears she gave as gifts to her nephews and nieces after herself, for fear of reprecussions.
Etymology: Gaff fatwa phobia
Spitaworry
Created by: LotusB
Pronunciation: SPIT-a-wor-ee
Sentence:
Etymology: Spit + Worry = Spitaworry
Phlegmafear
Created by: abrakadeborah
Pronunciation: phlim-uh-fear
Sentence: Bratillda is overcome with a regretful feeling of phlegmafear when she complains about her food in a restaurant.
Etymology: Phlegm-Thick,mucus secreted by the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. (Yuk!) A fear-To be uneasy or apprehensive.
Regretel
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: re gret el
Sentence: When he followed the breadcrumb trail to the house made of candy in the Enchanted Forest, Hansel complained to the old crone that lived there.He could not find his sister and accused her of holding her there against her will. When he realizes her intent, he is full of regretel and so soon is the old crone...
Etymology: Regret (remorse;be sorry) & Gretel (Sister in the Grimm fairy tale Hansel & Gretel)
Purchill
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: PUR-chil
Sentence: After Bob was overheard to quip: "In this restaraunt the only good waiters are the customers," the fickle-feel gaze of the head-waiter sent purchills of retailiation up his spine.
Etymology: 1. Purchill: a blend of purchase & chill: a depressing influence on the feelings. 2. Retailiation: (retail & retaliation)
Venjitters
Created by: ErWenn
Pronunciation: /ˌvɛnˈdʒɪdɚz/
Sentence: After publishing a severe critique of the way government officials had arrested a reporter with dissenting views, the journalist got a severe case of the venjitters.
Etymology: from Anglo-French "venger", meaning "to avenge" (as in English "avenge", "revenge", and "vengeance") + "jitters" (unknown origin)
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COMMENTS:
I like the sound of it. - purpleartichokes, 2007-11-30: 12:20:00
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Forebodianskip
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: fore/bode/ian/skip
Sentence: I experienced a powerful forebodianskip when I asked the hairdresser to cut my hair a little shorter and he took out the buzz cutters.
Etymology: forebode + skip (as in skip a heartbeat) + freudian slip
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COMMENTS:
Excellent! - Mustang, 2007-12-01: 17:33:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram~ James
remistram - 2007-11-30: 10:14:00
I admit - one of my paranoias....
purpleartichokes - 2007-11-30: 13:49:00
Thanks for all the great definitions Remi!
By the way, Remistram also gets a credit for yesterday's definition. She originally submitted her definition about compulsive sniffing in June, so I have added her name to the credits which she shares with kabloozie. Thanks! ~ James
silveryaspen - 2008-12-09: 01:06:00
Am I the only one confounded by the previous verbotomies being show as new ones, along with the re-run of the definition? When we go to vote for the new verbotomies, it's going to be confusing to vote for the new verbotomies instead of the old verbotomies.
logarithm - 2008-12-09: 04:24:00
A re-run, huh? I think it's ok to mix the old and new verbotomies together, and let people vote for their favourites. New verbotomies are great, but some of the old ones might still be the better ones. p/s Silveryaspen: I am back! ;-)
wayoffcenter - 2008-12-09: 05:31:00
But old games have already been decided and have major point advantages over any new entries. It stops regular contributors from playing. They already have a word entered for this contest.
logarithm - 2008-12-09: 07:02:00
It's a contest?
Hey Silvery et al, Oops! Double replay. I have now updated today's definition. See it here: Isn't it a bit early to be wearing Christmas decorations? Be creative, James
Yes, logarithm, it's a game. We have daily and weekly winners. The winning word of the day gets printed in the "b", Baltimore's free daily newspaper. See: b the paper. ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram. ~ James