Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To focus on your weaknesses, rather than your strengths. n. A person who is obsessed with their perceived deficiencies, and works hard to ensure that everyone else understands and appreciates their failings.
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.
Defectitude
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: de-fect-ta-tude
Sentence: Sally's defectitude about her skills ensured that she would remain at the bottom of the typing pool for her entire career because she convinced everyone else that she lacked the ability to perform competently.
Etymology: defect: imperfection, deficiency, shortcoming + attitude: belief, outlook, approach
Flunkard
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /flung-kerd/ (pronounced like 'drunkard')
Sentence: Larry would often set low standards for himself and then consistently fail to meet those standards. As a habitual flunkard, Larry found that there were very few tasks entrusted to him at the office. Management, having noticed this, were quick to assume that he was quite skilled at delegating assignments, and offered him a promotion.
Etymology: Flunk - failure to meet minimum performance standards (English slang, from alteration of British university slang, funk "to be frightened, shrink from") + Drunkard - a chronic, habitual drinker (from Old English, druncen, pp. of "to drink"); Flunkard = a chronic, habitual failure.
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COMMENTS:
great sentence Tigger - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:21:00
Great word! - Mustang, 2008-04-29: 23:23:00
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Becrutchery
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: beek rut shurr eee
Sentence: He was a master of becrutchery. His company car park was twice the width of his car. The technical department started his computer five minutes before his arrival. his colleagues did his photocopying rather than spen thje morning pulling crumpled staples out of the works. His father, the chief executive, was responsible for this shlepotism.
Etymology: begrudgery, crutch
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COMMENTS:
I think he works here - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:25:00
He's worked in several companies I have...how do they do it??? - Nosila, 2008-04-29: 23:15:00
Good word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-04-30: 21:34:00
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Defectionist
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: dee-fekt-shun-ehst
Sentence: Wilbur had at one point in his life been a perfectionist but over time after suffering some setbacks, he became a defectionist, concentrating on his perceived defects rather than building on his strengths.
Etymology: Blend of 'defect' (imperfection) and suffix 'ist' (indicates a person involved in the activity or field)
Flawplan
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: FLAW-plan
Sentence: Bob spelt out his career plan with acronymical alacrity. It read: "F" for frustrating and thoughtlessness; "L" for lethargic and litigious; "A" for aimless and antediluvian; "W" for workshy and weaseling; "P" for plastic and procrastinating; "L" for lackadaisical and laconic; "A" for asinine and anal-retentive and "N" for neglectful and nepotistic. He was elected - maybe - for his honesty; or, more likely, by the "donkey" vote!
Etymology: FLAW: fault(s), defects, imperfection(s) & PLAN: to have a specific aim or purpose; a scheme or method of doing something put together in advance.
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COMMENTS:
very clever
- petaj, 2008-04-29: 04:58:00
Hmmmmm, is that a thinly veiled political swipe! - pieceof314, 2008-04-29: 09:44:00
love the sentence - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:22:00
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Presentablahness
Created by: bookowl
Pronunciation: pree/zent/a/blah/ness
Sentence: His presentablahness said it all.
Etymology: presentableness + blah
Incompetitor
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: in-COM-pet-it-tah
Sentence: Marty's ambition was to be the incompetitor of the month. So he launched into self-demotion at every opportunity until the entire staff was well aware of his every foible.
Etymology: incompetence + competitor
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COMMENTS:
on a roll petaj - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:19:00
thanks jabber. I though blooprint was pretty good, but had my doubts this would be popular - petaj, 2008-04-30: 02:59:00
Nice word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-04-30: 21:33:00
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Imperfectshine
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: im-purr-fekt-shine
Sentence: she reasoned that the world needed some ugly models and she would damn well imperfectshine her way to the top!
Etymology: imperfection, shine
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COMMENTS:
Well thought out! - TJayzz, 2008-04-29: 11:13:00
good for her - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:20:00
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Faulterego
Created by: mweinmann
Pronunciation: fal - tur - ee - go
Sentence: Stephanie has a strong faulterego. Those who know her well realize that she is an intelligent, capable woman. She is so good at downplaying her strengths in favor of her weaknesses that at times, she seems like another person.
Etymology: fault, falter, alter ego (An alter ego (Latin, "the other I") is a second self, a second personality or persona within a person. It was coined in the early nineteenth century when schizophrenia was first described by early psychologists. A person with an alter ego is said to lead a double life)
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COMMENTS:
good one - Nosila, 2009-06-09: 11:08:00
Got my vote - DrWebsterIII, 2009-06-09: 13:33:00
Very good! - Mustang, 2009-06-09: 18:15:00
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Flawedcaster
Created by: hyperborean
Pronunciation: flawd-cahst-ur
Sentence: John was a prolific flawedcaster, but only Mary enjoyed receiving his weekly flawedcast -- everyone else deleted it right away. Reading about his problems made her feel strong.
Etymology: flawed (defective) + broadcast (to make widely known)
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COMMENTS:
Favorite so far. Truly fits! Esp. the verb - DrWebsterIII, 2009-06-09: 14:38:00
like it!! - mweinmann, 2009-06-09: 17:27:00
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Comments:
Today's definition is inspired by Johnny Bunko's Career Secret # 2: "Think strengths, not weaknesses". See: "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" by Dan Pink. Thanks Dan! ~ James
Today's definition is inspired by Johnny Bunko's Career Secret # 2: "Think strengths, not weaknesses". See: "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" by Dan Pink. Thanks Dan! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by johnnybunko. Thank you johnnybunko. ~ James