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)
Sabophobic
Created by: logarithm
Pronunciation: sa.bo·fo.bik sab′ə fo bIk
Sentence:
Etymology: Sabotage - A deliberate act of destruction or disruption in which equipment is damaged. Phobic - suffering from irrational fears.
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COMMENTS:
Sabophobic is real textbook material. - metrohumanx, 2008-11-19: 20:27:00
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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
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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Clereckage
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: klərekij
Sentence: Despite the fact that everything in her order was wrong, Joyce was kept quiet. She feared the clereckage that might occur if she complained.
Etymology: clerk (a person employed in an office or bank to keep records and accounts and to undertake other routine administrative duties) + wreckage (something that has been badly damaged or destroyed)
Grievengeance
Created by: xirtam
Pronunciation: gree-věn'jəns
Sentence: Annabelle feared that the waiter may enact some form of grievengeance against her after she complained that her steak was overcooked.
Etymology: Grievance: a complaint or resentment. + Vengeance: Infliction of punishment in return for a wrong committed; retribution.
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COMMENTS:
Good word. - Mustang, 2007-12-01: 17:34:00
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Spitzophrenia
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: \spit-suh-free-nee-uh\
Sentence: Julia developed a severe case of spitzophrenia, after sending her Chicken Marsala back because she thought it had been overcooked, once she heard the cook shouting and cursing in the kitchen -- all the way from her seat at the far end of the restaurant -- and she was certain she'd be gripenalized for it. She was sure it would be 'spit-for-tat' and was soon overwhelmed by protestanoia.
Etymology: spit - to eject saliva from the mouth (Old English, spātl - "spittle") + schizophrenia - a mental disorder characterized by delusions (from Greek, comb. of 'schízein' & 'phrén' - "split mind")
Remorsel
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: re-MORS-el
Sentence: When she complained about the serving of cake Angie thought she detected a bit of disdain by the waiter and she experienced a wave of remorsel, fearing some sort of retaliation when the waiter returned with replacement serving.
Etymology: Blend of 'remorse' (regreat) and 'morsel' (a bit of food)
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.
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)
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