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.
Modconjob
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: mod-con-job
Sentence: It was all hype and bonhomie in the sales pitch, but I've hit the trough of disillusionment with this modconjob.
Etymology: mod con (modern convenience) + con job (trick pulled by a confidence artist)
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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Technoprisoners
Created by: porsche
Pronunciation: tek/no/prizoners
Sentence: The motto of tech support is technoprisoners
Etymology: take no prisoners + technology
Enigmadget
Created by: ErWenn
Pronunciation: /ˌɛnɪɡˈmӕdʒit/
Sentence: I was fairly certain that the enigmadget was supposed to be the new television's remote control, but I couldn't find a single button on it.
Etymology: From enigma + gadget
Cyberk
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: s eye burk
Sentence: If she counted up the hours she spent speaking to cyberks, it would far outweigh time spent speaking to friends family and pets.
Etymology: cyber, berk.
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COMMENTS:
a person could go positively cyberzerk! - Alchemist, 2007-03-21: 06:04:00
or sigh berzerk - galwaywegian, 2007-03-21: 08:00:00
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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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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)
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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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus.
Thank you erasmus! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus. Thank you erasmus. ~ James