Vote for the best verboticism.

'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.

Create | Read

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.

Technotogy

Created by: Osomatic

Pronunciation: teck + not + oh + gee

Sentence: Your hand held may do everything, but if the buttons are too small to use it's really technotogy, wouldn't you say?

Etymology: "Technology" with one letter substituted. See if you can guess which one.

| Comments and Points

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.

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

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

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Stymieware

artr

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)

| Comments and Points

Indautified

Created by: jonobo

Pronunciation: in - doubtified

Sentence: We are surrounded by indautified technology.

Etymology: In as a negative pre-syllable. DAU = German abbreviation for Stupidest Expected User, so SEU in englich. certified. Short: Technology that is not certified for DAUs/SEUs.

| Comments and Points

Hardprove

arlouxo

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

| Comments and Points

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)

| Comments and Points

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

| Comments and Points

Glitchtech

Created by: Mustang

Pronunciation: glitsch-tek

Sentence: As usual, the latest innovation offered by the software provider contained the usual abundance of glitchtech making it almost impossible to use by anyone other than a seasoned techie.

Etymology: Blend of 'glitch' (a minor problem that causes a temporary setback a snag) and 'tech', abbreviation for technology

| Comments and Points

Blooproof

AnnieChandon

Created by: AnnieChandon

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

| Comments and Points

Nonnovation

Created by: Koekbroer

Pronunciation: non-oh-vay-shin

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

Etymology: non; innovate

| Comments and Points

Show All or More...

 

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