Vote for the best verboticism.

'Jennifer? You've changed your hairstyle! I like it!'

DEFINITION: v. To seek approval from your boss by emulating their style, mannerisms or affectations. n. A person who copies their boss's style in order to win favor.

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Verboticisms

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Suckupanache

ohwtepph

Created by: ohwtepph

Pronunciation: suhk-UH-puh-nahsh

Sentence: Her suckupanache was simply astounding because she really seemed like the spit and image of Humpty Dumpty.

Etymology: SUCK UP A NOTCH [to suck up more than anyone has ever tried before] + suck up + panache [style, fashion]

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Apeproval

Created by: Rhyme79

Pronunciation: ape-proov-all

Sentence: My boss is so vain that I figured he couldn't miss how awesome I am if I try the apeproval tactic. I mean, what I have got to lose? Putting on a hundred pounds, wearing enormous glasses, shaving my head and dressing like a gorilla kicked through a circus could only be good for my career, right?

Etymology: Ape- copy, mimic. Approval- consent, blessing.

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Doppelmanager

Created by: purpleartichokes

Pronunciation: dah-puhl-man-a-jer

Sentence: All butt-kissing and other adminitraits aside, when Bob showed up sporting the same Rocky and Bullwinkle tie that the boss wore, it was readily apparent that he had become a doppelmanager destined for the Borg room. Simpresarios always wound up as directums.

Etymology: doppelganger, manager

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COMMENTS:

Didn't we all go through Bulletchewer's 'dopple anger' a few months ago? Where is that 'Chewer'? I miss his sarcastic comments. - Stevenson0, 2007-06-14: 07:53:00

Did he do a doppel word? Yep, he was quite the charhackter. - purpleartichokes, 2007-06-14: 08:05:00

I just thought of a better word - mimeostaff. It's up for grabs for anyone wants it! - purpleartichokes, 2007-06-14: 10:39:00

personally I like your xeroxymorons - that's a terrific word - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-14: 10:49:00

I liked it too, but it doesn't have any boss connotations. Perhaps it could be used for people who imitate pop culture icons. - purpleartichokes, 2007-06-14: 11:21:00

Another one - imbosster. - purpleartichokes, 2007-06-14: 11:27:00

that's very good - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-14: 11:37:00

Personally, I was going for a combination of mimicry and the lowliest worker I could think of, rather than use the boss. But a word like "employsonate" could go either way. - Clayton, 2007-06-14: 11:42:00

Good word there, also... three points! - Clayton, 2007-06-14: 11:43:00

Oooo, I like employsonate! Quite versatile. - purpleartichokes, 2007-06-14: 11:57:00

Ted Doppel would be proud. - Clayton, 2007-06-14: 12:05:00

xeroxymoron can be equated to any government official that I've come across - employsonate reminds me of some of the people I've 'worked with'or should I say 'hand held' through the day doing their job - Stevenson0, 2007-06-14: 14:41:00

petaj Imbossination/imbossinator was another one I toyed with, on the impersonation idea. - petaj, 2007-06-14: 23:52:00

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Copycad

CharlieB

Created by: CharlieB

Pronunciation: cop-ee-kad

Sentence: Frank's very crafty. He knows he'll never get to be manager of Knights Property unless Bob Knight approves it. So he wears the same style suits and drinks the same coffe. Bob thinks Frank's a mate, but behind Frank's smile is a heart of steel and obsessive ambition. Frank will do what it takes. He's a copycad.

Etymology: copycat (a person who copies another) + cad (one who behaves in a dishonourable way, a bounder)

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Suckup

Created by: blondibabi121692

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Shtickophant

Created by: mplsbohemian

Pronunciation: SHTIHK-uh-fuhnt

Sentence: When Alex suddenly worked under a new boss, his days as a shtickophant were numbered, as there was no way he was going around in stilettos and pearls.

Etymology: shtick (idiosyncrasy, gimmick) + sycophant

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Clonenoser

Created by: mweinmann

Pronunciation: clo - nozer

Sentence: Greta was a total clonenoser. First she started to wear the same lipstick color as her boss. Next the shoes, then the bracelet. She thought it a compliment to her boss that she had started to "evolve" into her likeness.

Etymology: clone (a perfect copy), noser - brown noser (someone who kisses up to the boss

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Twingratiate

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: twin grat chee ayt

Sentence: It was subtle at first, the way George starting copying some of his manager's phrases and favourite words. Then it became more obvious to the rest of the staff that he was copying mannerisms and fashion style of his boss. He got a raise and a promotion by being able to twingratiate himself with the boss...same hair-do (now bald, like the boss);same big goggles; same polyester leisure suits and same hideous patterned shirts. Things went well for George for a time. Then his world was torn apart when the boss transferred and a new, sharp lady boss took over. How the heck was he going to twingratiate himself with her without looking like Tootsie???

Etymology: Twin (duplicate or match) & Ingratiate (gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts)

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Clononialism

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: clo/no/nee/al/ism

Sentence: Her clononialism was quite startling. She was determined to stake her own territory even if it involved personal sacrifice.

Etymology: clone + colonialism

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COMMENTS:

Send in the clones. - Clayton, 2007-06-14: 12:02:00

And where are the clones? There ought to be clones. Uh oh - Purple's going to kill you - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-14: 12:20:00

CLAAAAYTON!!! I know where your word lives!! - purpleartichokes, 2007-06-14: 12:33:00

Hahaha. What?! You got something against that song? It's almost as good as "MacArthur Park." - Clayton, 2007-06-14: 15:21:00

Now you've really done it Clayton - Someone's left the cake out in the rain - I think the only other song that long is In-a-gadda-da-vida - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-14: 15:47:00

(don't ya know that I'll always CLUB you) - purpleartichokes, 2007-06-14: 16:17:00

too punny for words - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-14: 16:39:00

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Suckcessor

petaj

Created by: petaj

Pronunciation: successor

Sentence: Tina is now a consultant on suckcession planning. She has a wealth of experience in career advancement through the judicious use plastic surgery and the less intrusive techniques of mimicry and style adoption.

Etymology: suck up to + successor

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-06-14: 01:10:00
Office politics. You know it's a game. You understand the players. You've got a strategy. Now it's time to take action with Timothy Johnson's GUST -- even if that means shaving your head. Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram and Timothy! ~ James

purpleartichokes - 2007-06-14: 18:10:00
Love the artwork today James! Very funny!

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-06-14: 18:17:00
Thanks purple! And cheers to remistram for thinking of such a funny idea. ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-06-14: 18:27:00
By the way, Robert J. Sawyer, winner of Hugo and Nebula best novel awards, will be our featured author at Verbotomy next week. More details to follow... Check out Rob's website at www.sfwriter.com. ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2010-01-08: 00:44:00
Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram. ~ James