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...
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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)
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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Hardprove
Created by: arlouxo
Pronunciation: hardproove
Sentence: why do you have to hardprove everything?
Etymology: hard: because it became harder / prove: from "improve" because you have moved on
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)
Ineffectualogy
Created by: aly22
Pronunciation: in-eff-ekt-oo-ology
Sentence: The system's ineffectualogy has slowed business to a crawl.
Etymology: Ineffectual + techonology
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
Wrecknology
Created by: swallowedbyafish
Pronunciation:
Sentence: He had been thwarted by another stupid piece of wrecknology!
Etymology: wreck + technology
Techbotcholy
Created by: erasmus
Pronunciation: teck bot ch olly
Sentence: the techbotcholy at our office is so unusable you cant even type your name in without it changing to Korean keyboard layout.
Etymology: from technology and botch
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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Unutilovelty
Created by: mana1066
Pronunciation: un-you-till-â-vul-tee
Sentence: When the people on tv used it, it seemed like it would change my life. when i got it in the mail it ended up being a unutilovelty that collected dust.
Etymology: un+ utilize + novelty
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus.
Thank you erasmus! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus. Thank you erasmus. ~ James