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'I'm sorry can you repeat that? '

DEFINITION: n. A technological innovation that doesn't work as expected because "normal people" can't figure out how to use it. v. To improve something in a way that makes it much harder to use.

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Verboticisms

Click on each verboticism to read the sentences created by the Verbotomy writers, and to see your voting options...

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Innocumberance

Created by: PythianHabenero

Pronunciation: in-no-cumber-ants

Sentence: Voice recognition software is universally an innocumberance.

Etymology: "innovation" + "encumberance".

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Complacate

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: com plak kayt

Sentence: Initially when you had an IT problem, you just phoned Fred and he'd either tell you how to fix it or come and do it for you. When they installed a new system, they added a voice mail system to log complaints. It was intended to complacate the user. Your complaint was registered, but you had to go through an e-labourate series of "Press this, press that" options. You got nowhere but they figured all that button pushing kept you busy and entertained until they could figure out how you had screwed up their expensive system.

Etymology: Complicate (make more complex, intricate;confusing) & Placate (cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of;lull;mollify)

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Nonnovation

Created by: Koekbroer

Pronunciation: non-oh-vay-shin

Sentence: "Blast! This remote control is so complicated. It's a nonnovation."

Etymology: non; innovate

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Ditzmo

Created by: jedijawa

Pronunciation: ditz-mo

Sentence: The ditzmo was such a complicated bit of electronics that Bobbie didn't even try to figure it out.

Etymology: ditz (a scatterbrain) + gizmo (a mechanical device)

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COMMENTS:

Perfect! - wordmeister, 2007-03-21: 00:42:00

Simple and cute! Love it! - purpleartichokes, 2007-03-21: 04:39:00

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karenanne

Created by: karenanne

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Hellectrodevice

Created by: splendiction

Pronunciation: hell EK tro de VICE

Sentence: “Please select one of the following options”, droned the hellectrodevice. She promptly hung up. Why waste time hoping to navigate through quirky voice menu-mazes?

Etymology: From: hell, electric, and device.

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COMMENTS:

Hate them, too! - Nosila, 2009-10-07: 23:48:00

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Vistappointment

Created by: Alchemist

Pronunciation: vis-tah-POYNY-ment

Sentence: That new self-walking dog leash I bought online turned out to be a big Vistappointment. I couldn't even get it configured to my breed, it kept defaulting to "shih tsu". What a rip!

Etymology: Vista (you know) + disappointment

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COMMENTS:

very topical! - galwaywegian, 2007-03-21: 06:43:00

I don't normally appreciate topical verboticisms, but this one actually rolls off the tongue nicely. - Discoveria, 2007-03-21: 08:44:00

for relief of normal verboticism, apply topically...:-) - Alchemist, 2007-03-21: 09:19:00

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Dehancement

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: dee-hans-ment

Sentence: New & improved! Fear these words. Too often they announce the dehancement of a product from tried and true to unfathomable.

Etymology: degrade (to lower in dignity or estimation; bring into contempt) + enhancement (to raise to a higher degree; intensify; magnify)

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Blooproof

AnnieChandon

Created by: AnnieChandon

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Regressivention

Created by: jmedaris

Pronunciation:

Sentence: After listening to a half hour of unintelligible droning, I can honestly say that Operator #23194 represents the zenith of our Customer Service Industry's regressivention.

Etymology:

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-03-20: 00:11:00
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus.
Thank you erasmus! ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2009-10-07: 00:05:00
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus. Thank you erasmus. ~ James