Vote for the best verboticism.
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.
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.
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".
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)
Fiblet
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
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]
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.
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.
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!
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James
RE: "Best Verbotoon Ever" Thanks ErWenn! However I must say it was all inspired by KV himself. So it goes... ~ James
See the top 4 words of the day at Yeah, I'm in heaven now ~ James
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
Today's definition was suggested by vonnegut. Thank you vonnegut. ~ James
Live it or live WITH it!