Vote for the best verboticism.

'Yeah, I'm in heaven now.'

DEFINITION: n. A harmless untruth, intended to comfort simple souls. v. To use a little bit a fiction to smooth over the perplexities and complexities of life.

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Verboticisms

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Fibassurance

Created by: SmoothP

Pronunciation: fib-uh-shoo-rants

Sentence: It was clear to the adults that Mr. Puddles hadn't gone to any "happy doggy farm", but the fibassurance seemed to satisfy little Tommy.

Etymology: From the latin "fibassi" meaning comfort, and "uranceum" meaning "to lie".

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Lieability

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: lye abil itee

Sentence: When it came time to complete his staff's evaluations, Kurt had to use his lieability skills to soften the blows. He'd say things like "Joe is a very reliable worker, when he is here." or "Mary Jane is flexible...she is equally ill at ease with large groups or a single person." or "Fred's long, liquid lunches make the afternoons go quickly and he creates a party mood among his peers for the last hour each workday." or "Roxanne can light up a room, just by leaving it."

Etymology: Lie (a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth) & Ability (skill;able to achieve something)and Wordplay on Liability (the quality of being something that holds you back)

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Fiblet

RustyGb

Created by: RustyGb

Pronunciation: fib-let (phoenetic)

Sentence: When asked of his whereabouts, Jim loosed a fiblet about a dentist's appointment to preserve the secret of Carie's surprise party.

Etymology: Fib: to lie -let: small one (MF -elet, fr el)

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COMMENTS:

I like it! - wordmeister, 2007-04-20: 10:20:00

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Foma

Created by: vonnegut

Pronunciation: fo-ma

Sentence: Nothing in this book is true. "Live by the foma* that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy." The Books of Bokonon. I: 5

Etymology: Created by Kurt Vonnegut for Cat's Cradle, published in 1963.

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COMMENTS:

foma - accept no substitutes. - Alchemist, 2007-04-16: 06:51:00

we can't go through the whole week respelling Vonneguts words....or can we? - rikboyee, 2007-04-16: 09:24:00

It's the best way to win the prize.... :-) - jedijawa, 2007-04-16: 12:54:00

What's the singular? And should I have heard of Vonnegut? Has he been on TV? Recently? Bliss. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-16: 15:11:00

The singular form is "fomum", like phenomena (plural) and phenomenum (signular). Comes from Latin. Did you study Latin in highschool? I did, and I'm still trying to get over it. - wordmeister, 2007-04-16: 15:22:00

It's all Greek to me! - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-16: 16:14:00

you can even go into the news/blog section and it will tell you which word this definition comes from.... i honestly feel that using Vonneguts word taints the wampeter of our humble karass - rikboyee, 2007-04-16: 17:44:00

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Chickenpoup

Created by: purpleartichokes

Pronunciation: chi-ken-poop

Sentence: I thought his concern was sincere when I told him of my hamster Kitty's passing. I later realized it was just chickenpoup for my soul when he suggested I flush her down the toilet.

Etymology: chicken soup for the soul; poop (as in a line of crap)

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COMMENTS:

Never understood the notion of chicken soup being comforting, cos frankly the stuff I've had has always been vile. That opined, the connotation of cowardice is good. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-16: 14:59:00

Well, after you pick out all the mushy vegetables, add more noodles, a dash of lemon and pepper, it's palatable. I guess chicken soup sounded better than Whopper with Cheese. - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-16: 15:26:00

That sounds suspiciously like actually cooking something to me. Gimme the can of cream of tomato instead. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-16: 16:11:00

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Plafibo

Created by: OZZIEBOB

Pronunciation: pla-FEE-bo

Sentence: "What do I say?" thought Bob. That was what he had been asking himself all week. But Roxie's questions were flying faster than any of his answers were coming in to land. He needed a plafibo to allay her fears; he hoped he would find one before she found out that he had lost the tickets for their upcoming overseas trip.

Etymology: PLACEBO: ME from Latin: I shall be pleased;an innocuous or inert medication; given as a pacifier & FIB: a small trivial lie, minor falsehood.

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COMMENTS:

great - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-23: 16:03:00

Good one! - lumina, 2008-06-23: 22:55:00

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Placeebull

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: pla/see/bull

Sentence: 'Hard work always pays off' - a placeebull to keep workers motivated

Etymology: placebo + bull (as in bullshit) (had to put the second e in my word to emphasize sound)

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COMMENTS:

okayee - galwaywegian, 2007-04-16: 06:30:00

Ain't it the truth!?! - Sed8ed, 2007-04-16: 06:33:00

petaj That example sounds like an alfalsism. Or a generaLIEzation. - petaj, 2007-04-16: 06:37:00

That's a great play on words! - jedijawa, 2007-04-16: 12:56:00

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Liethium

Created by: rikboyee

Pronunciation: lie-thee-um

Sentence: She knew that after the day he'd had, the only thing that would calm him down was some liethium

Etymology: lie, lithium [used to treat depression and such]

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Benein

Created by: rebelvin

Pronunciation: BEnign+NEIN

Sentence: The fact that he had Alzheimer's disease justified the beneins we told him to keep him happy.

Etymology: BEnign+NEIN Benign - 1. Having little or no detrimental effect; harmless 2. Showing gentleness and mildness. Nein - GERMAN: no; a word used for denying, disagreeing, refusing etc.

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Foma

Created by: vonnegut

Pronunciation: fo-ma

Sentence: Nothing in this book is true. "Live by the foma* that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy." The Books of Bokonon. I: 5

Etymology: Created by Kurt Vonnegut for Cat's Cradle, published in 1963.

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Comments:

ErWenn - 2007-04-16: 08:00:00
Best verbotoon ever. So it goes, buddy, so it goes.

ErWenn - 2007-04-16: 08:20:00
Just noticed what was written on the typewriter. Ha!

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-16: 15:03:00
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-16: 15:12:00
RE: "Best Verbotoon Ever" Thanks ErWenn! However I must say it was all inspired by KV himself. So it goes... ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-17: 16:11:00
See the top 4 words of the day at Yeah, I'm in heaven now ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2008-06-23: 00:01:00
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James

wurdless - 2008-07-12: 15:23:00
Vonnegut is cool!

reverb - 2008-07-12: 15:31:00
cat's cradle rocks

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2009-11-02: 00:00:00
Today's definition was suggested by vonnegut. Thank you vonnegut. ~ James

metrohumanx metrohumanx - 2009-11-02: 01:42:00
Live it or live WITH it!