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.
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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Nokwando
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: nōkwändō
Sentence: Nelson is not only a practitioner but is the grand master of a new martial art, nokwando. Rather than teach new skills, this art concentrates on what a student cannot do. His dojo is not finished yet and may not be unless someone else take on the project. Nelson even practices his art at work. When his boss suggests some action that he should be undertaking, he can almost always defer or deflect this effort with phrases like "I'll have take that under study" or "My predecessor never showed me how to do that".
Etymology: no (not any) + taekwando (a modern Korean martial art similar to karate)
Manglomaniac
Created by: karenanne
Pronunciation: MAN gah lo MAIN ee ak
Sentence: Dexter Knott made sure that everyone knew how difficult most tasks were for him and how slowly he worked, so that they wouldn't ask much of him. He was a notable manglomaniac, pointing out how he would probably mangle whatever responsibility was laid at his doorstep, and then suggesting that someone else would do a better job. He made such comments as, "Why don't you give the project to Lee Derr? He thrives on 'management opportunities.'" As a result, he mostly got to slack off while his more capable and ambitious colleagues basically got used. In the end, since they were all on a set pay scale, they all got paid the same.
Etymology: mangle + megalomaniac
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COMMENTS:
Lee Derr...like it! - Nosila, 2010-07-03: 22:43:00
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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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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)
Presentablahness
Created by: bookowl
Pronunciation: pree/zent/a/blah/ness
Sentence: His presentablahness said it all.
Etymology: presentableness + blah
Dorkmeister
Created by: metrohumanx
Pronunciation: DORK- my-ster
Sentence: We don’t need convincing – The self- analyzer… Who mocks himself daily’s A real DORKMEISTER!
Etymology: DORK+MEISTER= DORKMEISTER.....Dork: perhaps alteration of dick Date: 1967.....MEISTER: one who is delusionally knowledgeable about something specified; Yiddish mayster & German Meister master, from Middle High German meister, from Old High German meistar, from Latin magister.
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COMMENTS:
I'm not surprised that nobody likes the DORKMEISTER. What's to like? - metrohumanx, 2009-06-10: 05:52:00
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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
Pedantichick
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: ped an tik hik
Sentence: Billy Bob was not making his transition from country bumpkin to slick city dweller very easy. He only opened his mouth to change feet and was known as a pedantichick, because he seemed determined to show off how naive and unsophisticated he was while going to college in a big city. He typified the stereotype of a big dumb farm boy. Case in point was when he was given a new protractor as part of his course equipment. He reckoned he wouldn't need a protractor, since he didn't have to plow the fields no more!
Etymology: Pedantic (marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects) & Hick ( not very intelligent or interested in culture; awkwardly simple and provincial)
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COMMENTS:
good one - Jabberwocky, 2009-06-11: 15:48:00
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Pessimeister
Created by: DrWebsterIII
Pronunciation: Pes - a - misetr
Sentence: Peter was such a pessimeister. He was always pontificating on the possible negative outcome and preached about his problems and flaws.
Etymology: Pessimist (one who focuses on the negative) + Meister (master)
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COMMENTS:
hahaha funny...like it. - mweinmann, 2009-06-09: 17:28:00
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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