Vote for the best verboticism.
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.
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.
Digitknowitall
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: dij it no it all
Sentence: Reggie had bought a fancy new digital radio/alarm clock/coffeemaker/toaster. It was designed to be efficient in the morning by waking him up on time and getting his breakfast ready. His new appliance was a digitknowitall. Great in theory, but he could never get the radio station he liked programmed into it, so he had to listen to newscasts in a foreign language. He could also never program in the correct time...it was always an hour behind or so. The coffee tasted like something you would expect would come out of a new computer and the toast was always burned black. His only consolation was that the smoke detector awoke him if the alarm failed, the coffee was a handy extinguisher for the burnt breakfast offerings and his clock was right twice a day.
Etymology: Digital (of a circuit or device that represents magnitudes in digits) & Know-It-All (a person who thinks/behaves as if they know everything, but usually knows less than you would think on a subject).
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COMMENTS:
LOL! I'm still laughing, ha ha! Thanks! - splendiction, 2009-10-07: 21:44:00
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Stymieware
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: stīmēwər
Sentence: Jerry is proud to own the latest, greatest smart phone. It is apparently smarter than him. Yesterday it automatically downloaded and installed the freshest stymieware. It is supposed to give him all kinds of new state-of-the-art capabilities. He is lucky to figure out how to make a phone call. He tried to text his brother but ended up in a video conference call with some guys in Denmark. It might have been interesting if he understood them.
Etymology: stymie (prevent or hinder the progress of) + software (the programs and other operating information used by a computer)
Unnovation
Created by: bedens
Pronunciation: un-no-VA-shun
Sentence: "The voice mail tree at XYZ PC Warehouse is a real unnovation."
Etymology: un (not) + novation (from Innovation)
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COMMENTS:
Unnovative word...good one! - Nosila, 2009-10-07: 23:49:00
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Techurdle
Created by: wordmeister
Pronunciation: tech-her-del
Sentence: Windows Vista is so full of techurdles that it practically trips over itself everytime it starts up.
Etymology: tech+hurdle
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COMMENTS:
I like that one! - jedijawa, 2007-03-22: 00:10:00
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Trekkienology
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: trekee/nawl/ogee
Sentence: I think you have to understand Vulcan to figure out modern trekkienology
Etymology: trekkie + technology
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COMMENTS:
live long and prosper - porsche, 2007-03-21: 11:29:00
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Techlessness
Created by: jschrady
Pronunciation: Tek-les-nes
Sentence: Her lack of ability to enter the right pin code, no matter how many times the attendant assisted her, was, frankly, techlessness!
Etymology: Tech- technology Less- having nothing of something Ness- the action
Technocando
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: teck-no-can-do
Sentence: he downloaded it..he installed it..and only after hours of fruitless pointing and clicking and help menuing did he realise he'd fallen for another technocando
Etymology: techno, no can do
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COMMENTS:
funny and appropriate - Jabberwocky, 2007-03-21: 11:32:00
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Technogression
Created by: sisica
Pronunciation: tek-no-GREH-shun
Sentence: The
Etymology: Technical Regression (with the added bonus of having the feel of "agression") in the word....and I'd think that could be a subsequent feeling to being unable to benefit for the intended technological benefit that is not being met.
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)
Dehancement
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)
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus.
Thank you erasmus! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus. Thank you erasmus. ~ James