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'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.

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Verboticisms

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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)

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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

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

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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)

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Ineffectualogy

aly22

Created by: aly22

Pronunciation: in-eff-ekt-oo-ology

Sentence: The system's ineffectualogy has slowed business to a crawl.

Etymology: Ineffectual + techonology

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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

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Wrecknology

swallowedbyafish

Created by: swallowedbyafish

Pronunciation:

Sentence: He had been thwarted by another stupid piece of wrecknology!

Etymology: wreck + technology

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Techbotcholy

erasmus

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

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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

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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