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.
Maitredread
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: may-tra-dread
Sentence: While vacationing in Jamaica, Jen had maitredread after complaining about the entre to the headwaiter. She couldn't understand what he said, but when he returned the dish there was a garnish that looked suspiciously like something they warned her about in health class.
Etymology: maitre d: master of a restaurant who is in charge of the overall dining experience of the customers + dread: fearful or distasteful anticipation + dreads: natural hairstyle found in Jamaica and other islands where the hair is twisted into long ropelike braids symbolizing religious spirituality and ethnic identity
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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Ruexchange
Created by: zxvasdf
Pronunciation: Rue x change
Sentence: Matilda loved making ruexchanges because it placed her on the precipice of doubt and the thrill of the unknown shivered through her spine as the waiter placed the possibly reconstituted food at her table. Others are normally not so inclined to make a ruexchange out of a justifiable fear of acquiring some mysterious disease.
Etymology: Rue (to regret) & exchange (to trade in) Also a "rude" could be derived.
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COMMENTS:
makes me think of Scooby Doo - Jabberwocky, 2008-10-28: 13:03:00
Never get inclined near the precipice of doubt. ExtremeDining is too much for me.Brilliant word. Beautifully lyrical example. - metrohumanx, 2008-10-28: 17:42:00
A lumpy RUE is a valid reason to return ANY sauce. - metrohumanx, 2008-10-28: 18:00:00
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Reciprocake
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: risiprəkāk
Sentence: After complaining about his dinner, Jerry feared that his just desserts would be a big helping of reciprocake. Mom could be so vindictive.
Etymology: reciprocate (respond to a gesture or action by making a corresponding one) + cake (an item of soft, sweet food made from a mixture of flour, shortening, eggs, sugar, and other ingredients, baked and often decorated)
Remorselphobia
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: Ree - morse - el - fo - bee - uh
Sentence: After harshly criticizing the dessert the waiter brought, Gracielda had a bout of remorselphobia over the thought of what the waiter may return with.
Etymology: Remorse + morsel + phobia
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COMMENTS:
nice word... - hendrixius, 2007-11-30: 08:34:00
very nice - Jabberwocky, 2007-11-30: 15:06:00
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Retailiate
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: rēˌtālēˌāt
Sentence: Richard already felt like the bottom rung on the ladder, working as a clerk in a discount shoe store. When a customer snapped her fingers and demanding immediate attention and referring to him as "Hey you", he knew he had to retailiate. First he made sure that each shoe he brought out was a half size smaller or narrower than what she needed. The ones she really loved were always out of stock. When she finally found a pair that she could shove her hoof into, he took her purchase to the register and mis-entered her information so that the transaction was rejected and he could announce in a not-too-quiet voice, "Mam, your card has been declined, do you have another?" The look on her face made all the aggravation worth it.
Etymology: retail: the sale of goods to the public in relatively small quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale + retaliate: make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack
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COMMENTS:
I know this clerk. What a jerk! - wayoffcenter, 2008-10-28: 07:00:00
you've obviously suffered through a retail job at some time - great word - Jabberwocky, 2008-10-28: 13:02:00
Diabolical! - metrohumanx, 2008-10-28: 17:39:00
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Breachofcontact
Created by: Nuwanda
Pronunciation: breech-of-con-tacked
Sentence: Melanie was worried that by sending back her cold soup, she had created a breachofcontact, thus opening herself up for all sorts of unsavory retailatory possibilities. Melanie was aware that the agreement between server and servee was tenuous at best, and did not instigate a breachofcontact lightly. Nonetheless, she was still surprised and more than a little disgusted to find a cigarette butt in her piping hot soup.
Etymology: breach of contract revised to breach of contact
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COMMENTS:
Clever. Great sentence with nice nuances. - metrohumanx, 2008-10-28: 17:53:00
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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
Criticoncpiraphobia
Created by: hendrixius
Pronunciation: /krit-uh-cun-speer-uh-foe-bee-uh/
Sentence: Ellen suffered a bout of criticoncpiraphobia when she told the surly waiter that her sirloin was overcooked.
Etymology: "criticism" + "conspiracy" + "phobia"
Dissatisfear
Created by: TJayzz
Pronunciation: Diss-at-iss-fee-er
Sentence: When Colin complained to the waiter that their meal was cold, Sally was filled with dissatisfear and was convinced that the chef would exact revenge by sabotaging their food in some really unpleasant way!
Etymology: Dissatisfied(failed to be satisfied or pleased) + Fear(the likelihood of something unwelcome happening) = Dissatisfear
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COMMENTS:
While dining at Broadway Chicken in Paterson, I sent back the cold blackeyed peas. Thought I was going to be shivved on my way out the door. - metrohumanx, 2008-10-28: 17:51:00
Like it - mweinmann, 2008-10-28: 18:15:00
Very good. - Mustang, 2008-10-28: 18:50:00
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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