Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To use animal training techniques to improve and direct the behavior of other people. n. A technique which uses the principles of animal training to solve a human behavioral riddle.
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.
Pavlovegantheory
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: pav/low/veegan/theory
Sentence: The pavlovegantheory explores conditioning the reflexes of patrons to eat only vegetables when the subjects hear a bell ringing. An example would be the huge success of Potaco Bell.
Etymology: Pavolovian theory (dog's salivating when they hear a bell ringing) + vegan
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COMMENTS:
couldn't see your verbotomy on my first list; thought I was the first with a Pavlov reference. Nice application. - stache, 2008-05-19: 08:34:00
couldn't see your verbotomy on my first list; thought I was the first with a Pavlov reference. Nice application. - stache, 2008-05-19: 13:11:00
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Circusitous
Created by: bookowl
Pronunciation: sir/cus/i/tus
Sentence: I used a circusitous route but the leash worked wonders for keeping the kids in check.
Etymology: circus + circuitous (devious)
Shamu
Created by: Verbotomy
Pronunciation: Sham-moo
Sentence: Shamu the proper noun has become the all-purpose verb in our house. It's shorthand for using the principles of animal training to solve a behavioral riddle. We shamu friends, family, and neighbors. We shamu each other. "Did you just shamu me?" we will ask the other.
Etymology: Shamu is the stage name for the star Orcas (killer whales) at SeaWorld, that inspired the title of Amy Sutherland's book, "What Shamu Taught Me".
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COMMENTS:
The sentence is direct quote from Amy's book where she explains how she has adopted the word. ~ James - Verbotomy, 2008-05-19: 00:15:00
When this happens to me, I feel so Shamused. - Tigger, 2008-05-19: 02:54:00
Very shamutable! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-19: 06:38:00
Yes, if we apply shamu to creativity we get a shamutation. ~ James - Verbotomy, 2008-05-19: 15:46:00
I think it's time for as a serious stuff, what about the science, theory or study of shamu: "Shamulogy" - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-20: 22:26:00
Oops! I think it's time for the serious stuff, what about the science, theory or study of shamu: "Shamulogy" - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-20: 22:29:00
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Recwagnition
Created by: Rutilus
Pronunciation: rec-wag-nishun
Sentence: Phoebe loved Max. He was the human equivalent of a pet dog. He was loyal, forgiving and subservient. She could get him to do anything as long as she rewarded him, giving him treats and a little recwagnition for his trouble.
Etymology: recognition - noticing someone/something; wag - movement of dog's tail (associated with contentment)
Folkwhisperer
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: foke whis per er
Sentence: Abby decided to use her skills as a Horse Whisperer on her human family to see if the methods brought the same great results they had with her equine clients. With a large carrot, she approached her son Marvin cautiously, when he was again tying up her phone for hours. She bent close to his open ear, stroked his adolescent face gently and whispered the calming words which had the desired affect:"Get off that darn phone now or I will jam this carrot into your other ear!" At once he hung up and ran for his room. Yes, using Folkwhisperer methods worked every time... it wasn't tough love, but pavlove!
Etymology: folk (people in general)& the horse whisperer (a person who tames and trains horses by gentle methods and speech)
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COMMENTS:
'Pavloved' your story! Too funny! My conditioned response was to LOL... - Tigger, 2008-05-19: 02:49:00
you might not believe it but I didn't read youir sentence before I posted. - stache, 2008-05-19: 13:13:00
I believe you, stache...not the first time great minds have thought alike... - Nosila, 2008-05-19: 16:54:00
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Henneagram
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: hen eee aaa gram
Sentence: Her use of the henneagram was richickulous, one fowl idea after another in her so called pursuit of eggselence.
Etymology: enneagram, hen
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COMMENTS:
Another eggselent word, no yolks about it. Did you pullet out of the air or is it poultry in motion? - Nosila, 2008-05-19: 17:00:00
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Homesticate
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: hoh/mes/ti/kate
Sentence: In most relationships, the woman has to homesticate the male so he can function in modern society.
Etymology: homo sapiens (the modern species of humans) + domesticate (to tame an animal to live with humans); therefore, homesticate (to tame a human to live with humans)
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COMMENTS:
good play on the human condition.... - mweinmann, 2009-06-30: 08:02:00
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Poochnique
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: POOCH-neek
Sentence: "If you have something to say." Roxie barked, "shut up." She hoped that her poochniques would make Bob think that he had a dog for a wife, and he would forever remain her best friend.
Etymology: Blend of POOCH: slang for dog; etymology unknown, could be from German "Putzi" a name for a lap-dog?? & TECHNIQUE.
Beaubedience
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: bōbēdēəns
Sentence: Jill believes in beaubedience. Her boyfriend knows how to behave because she has taught him well. Just last week when he spilled milk on the kitchen counter, she rubbed his nose in it and barked at him. At least she has given up smacking him with rolled-up newspaper.
Etymology: beau (a boyfriend or male admirer) + obedience (compliance with someone\'s wishes or orders or acknowledgment of their authority)
Homesticate
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: hoh/mes/ti/kate
Sentence: In most relationships, the woman has to homesticate the male so he can function in modern society.
Etymology: homo sapiens (the modern species of humans) + domesticate (to tame an animal to live with humans); therefore, homesticate (to tame a human to live with humans)
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COMMENTS:
...but we can still 'devolve' during football games, can't we? Excellent word! - Tigger, 2008-05-19: 02:51:00
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Comments:
Today's definition is inspired by Amy Sutherland's new book "What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage". where she reminds us that "People are animals too!", and that "Any interaction is training". Now Amy has invented her own word for this and it's "Shamu", so I have added it today's list of verboticisms! Thanks Amy! ~ James
Today's definition is inspired by Amy Sutherland's book "What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage", where she reminds us that "People are animals too!", and that "Any interaction is training". Of course, Amy has invented her own word for this -- "Shamu". Let's see what we come up with now... Thanks Amy! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by amysutherland. Thank you amysutherland. ~ James