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.
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
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)
Technospastic
Created by: Sketchy
Pronunciation: tech-NO-spas-TIC
Sentence: Shirley was feeling technospastic after hours of trying to figure out her new universal remote. "Screw It"! She grumbled to herself, as she hurled the badget at the television set, and got up to change the channel.
Etymology: technology, techno, spastic, spasm
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COMMENTS:
Thank you bulletchewer for "badget". - Sketchy, 2007-03-21: 14:52:00
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Iletdown
Created by: iwasatripwire
Pronunciation: eye-let-down
Sentence: Oh man, that cool new feature turned out to be such an iLetdown.
Etymology: "i" (as in iPod, iPhone, etc) + "let down"
Einstymie
Created by: purpleartichokes
Pronunciation: EIN-sty-mee
Sentence: Sue was all thrilled to get her new cell phone, but after reading through the 245 page manual and realizing she didn't have a clue as to how to turn on the damn thing, she realized she had purchased yet another Einstymie.
Etymology: Einstein, stymie (A situation or problem presenting such difficulties as to discourage or defeat any attempt to deal with or resolve it.)
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COMMENTS:
very good - Jabberwocky, 2007-03-21: 11:31:00
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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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Dummiproving
Created by: Mrgoodtimes
Pronunciation: Dah - mi - pru - veng
Sentence: The scientists lauded themselves for the bulletproofing of the hands-free self-sharpening throwing stars kit, unfortunately recent fatalities have shown it to be dummiproved.
Etymology: Dummy-Proved
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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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)
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus.
Thank you erasmus! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus. Thank you erasmus. ~ James