Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. A prop (e.g. papers, files or any non-functional equipment) used to create the illusion of busyness. v. To use office supplies to create the illusion that you are working.
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.
Illusibusion
Created by: remistram
Pronunciation: ill-uge-ee-busy-un
Sentence: Stan was an expert at utilizing effective illusibusions - so much so that he was promoted to senior clerk.
Etymology: illusion + busy
Clamourflage
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: clam-err-flarj
Sentence: the only way to stop her intraypidation taking hold was to make sure she was well clamourflaged
Etymology: clamour, camouflage
Evidiligence
Created by: ErWenn
Pronunciation: /ˌɛvəˈdɪlədʒɛns/
Sentence: While folders and papers make excellent passive evidiligence for someone on the move, a mobile phone or PDA can serve the same purpose even when seated at one's desk, though such tools require an active effort to complete the effect of slackofflage.
Etymology: From evidence + diligence
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
very on-message you evidiligently gave it a lot of thought. - galwaywegian, 2007-06-13: 07:03:00
Don't indilige him. - Clayton, 2007-06-13: 07:50:00
Actually, I didn't give it that much thought. I just borrowed some thoughts I'd had from when I created the previous verboticism "slackofflage." I've noticed that some of my highest-scoring words are ones I was least confident in (such as "mockliment.") Maybe there's a message there. Maybe I just give everything too much thought. Yeah, that seems more likely. - ErWenn, 2007-06-13: 14:02:00
now now ErWenn - you know what they say about making ASSumptions - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-13: 14:20:00
----------------------------
Fobject
Created by: Rhyme79
Pronunciation: fob-jekt
Sentence: Shuffling papers whilst wearing my glasses on the end of my nose is the most effective combination of fobjects I have found. It creates the illusion that I'm actually doing what I'm paid to do.
Etymology: Fob -(as in 'fob off', deceive or dupe) + object = fobject
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Short and snappy - I could use this. :) - Discoveria, 2012-09-26: 12:14:00
----------------------------
Phantofiles
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: fan/tuh/files
Sentence: John had six different coloured sets of phantofiles he alternated at various times of the day to keep 'The Man' off his case and to demonstrate his industriousness and multitasking abilities. "Damn, he's good!" thought his boss. "He's completed three different projects today and it's only noon." John's phantofiles put him in line for a raise.
Etymology: phantom + files
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
phantastic - Nosila, 2010-01-07: 18:50:00
----------------------------
Industricators
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: in-DUST-ri-caters
Sentence: Memo To: WOT Team..... From: WOT Team Leader %%%%%%%%%%%% Hi Team, The big boss is coming to visit on Friday. Please make sure that you have a good selection of industricators and suggestoilibles on hand to ensure that she leaves with 'right' impression. We don't want her to think that WOT stands for Waste of Time. ta, oh and please eat this memo before Friday.
Etymology: industry + indicator + extricate (could get the lazy staffer an allayoffment, and out of a sticky situation)
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
LOVE the sentence! - purpleartichokes, 2007-06-13: 10:39:00
if the definition was having too many awesome words and not being able to choose, my word would be petajalot. - jadenguy, 2007-06-13: 12:15:00
if the definition was having too many awesome words and not being able to choose, my word would be petajalot. - jadenguy, 2007-06-13: 12:26:00
...dont' refresh AND send post data or whatever. - jadenguy, 2007-06-13: 12:27:00
The other one I had that I discarded was apparaphertoilia. Paraphernalia to create an appearance of toil. - petaj, 2007-06-13: 18:33:00
----------------------------
Earpencil
Created by: texmom
Pronunciation: Eer pen sill
Sentence: He wandered around with an earpencil as if he were doing math.
Etymology: ear - yeah the body part pencil - simple graphic tool
Importmanteau
Created by: rephil
Pronunciation: im-PORT-man-toh
Sentence: Gerry's importmanteau always impressed visitors, but the maintenance man's keys signified he held more true power in the building.
Etymology: import -- rank, necessity, gravity; portmanteau -- a suitcase
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
this is a great word!! - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-13: 14:48:00
Thanks -- I know I've had a few in my time! - rephil, 2007-06-13: 14:50:00
Erm -- importmanteaux, not great words! - rephil, 2007-06-13: 14:51:00
actually your words are terrific - there have just been so many good words to choose from lately - I especially like euphonia - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-13: 15:17:00
----------------------------
Phantofiles
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: fan/tuh/files
Sentence: John had six different coloured sets of phantofiles he alternated at various times of the day to keep 'The Man' off his case and to demonstrate his industriousness and multitasking abilities. "Damn, he's good!" thought his boss. "He's completed three different projects today and it's only noon." John's phantofiles put him in line for a raise.
Etymology: phantom + files
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
hmm - good ploy - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-13: 10:53:00
----------------------------
Portfonio
Created by: mweinmann
Pronunciation: port - pfon - eeeooo
Sentence: Robert held tight to his large portfonio as he passed his manager's office. He really had nothing to do but he nicely played the part of a person who had millions of things to do and people to see.
Etymology: Portfolio - A collection of papers and accomplishment and another word for notebook. + phony (not real).
Comments:
The "S" in Timothy Johnson's GUST stands for Strategy. And strategy is key! Especially if you are trying to get way with doing nothing. Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram and Timothy! ~ James
Rebekah - 2009-11-05: 18:33:00
Protaskinate
Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram. ~ James