Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. A person who, using an example from their own life, steers people away from a line of speculation by reducing it to an absurdity. v. To dismantle a logical argument with piles of passionate incoherence.
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.
Illustrationgist
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: ill/us/tray/shun/jist
Sentence: Her dad was the ultimate illustrationgist - he reduced every conversation to taking a walk down memory lane
Etymology: illustration (example) + gist (meaning)
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COMMENTS:
Ooh, this is an interesting spin on the definition. - playdohheart, 2007-04-18: 07:37:00
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Focalrecoiliot
Created by: Bulletchewer
Pronunciation: fo-cull-re-coyl-ee-utt
Sentence: Tony was a focalrecoiliot, citing his days in "Ugly Rumours" as the definitive evidence that we ought to go to war with Iraq (I mean, with America, against Iraq)instead of investing in our hospitals and schools.
Etymology: From that film (sorry, movie) Total Recall, "focal" meaning "nothing", "recoil" meaning "backward jerk of a gun" and "idiot" meaning "Governator". Who else wants some acid?
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COMMENTS:
don't atke this the wrong way Bulletchewer but I think focalrecoil might have worked better because it's the same number of syllables as total recall - Jabberwocky, 2007-04-18: 13:28:00
I meant don't take but you probably figured that out - Jabberwocky, 2007-04-18: 13:30:00
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Anecdotophile
Created by: zrotv
Pronunciation: ăn'ĭk -dŏt'ə-fīl
Sentence: I try to have logical conversations with people who don't read, but they are always such anecdotophiles. They never have any sources for information, just nebulous myths and stories.
Etymology: anecdote and phile (New Latin -philus, from Greek -philos, beloved, dear, from philos, beloved, loving.)
Foolluminati
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: f-loo-muh-Nah-tee
Sentence: "Emily, this is Dad. I only have a minute, so listen closely. Do you have a pencil and paper at hand?'' "No, Dad, but I'm at my computer, so go ahead." "Quickly. Turn it off now and keep it off for at least a week, so the system doesn't overheat. Don't you remember what I told you about machines:treat them with care and they'll never wear out; that computer will still be working when you're a grandmother." Although others may have been deeply shocked by this kind of advice, Emily replied "Yes, I understand; no problem...Dad." By the time Emily had put the phone down, she had already made up her mind to leave it off-the-hook for the next week, although she knew that he would try to contact her by telegram. Thankfully, after all, he was busy at the "Quill and Abacus Restoration Society's" annual meeting, and would after be attending the "Gaslighter's Guild" for a few days. At least, she consoled herself, she would be free for a little while from the inanities of this fatherly foolluminati. (last try: Sillustrator)
Etymology: FOOL: a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense. IILLUMINATI: People, or person, claiming to be unusually enlightened with regard to a subject
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COMMENTS:
love the way this sounds - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-25: 12:24:00
LOVE that word AND the "sentence" is hilarious! :) - lumina, 2008-06-25: 12:58:00
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Disingenue
Created by: Koekbroer
Pronunciation: dis-in-jen-oo
Sentence: Doug really believes that by being a disingenue he can make people change their viewpoints.
Etymology: a contraction of "disingenuous" (not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does) and "ingenue" - a harmless, naive character
Redialongate
Created by: mana1066
Pronunciation: re-dile-on-get
Sentence: every time i mention rings, or chappels, my boyfriend becomes a redialongate and tells me about how silver and gold are really a conspiracy
Etymology: redirect + language + elongate
Logihooey
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: läjihoōē
Sentence: Whenever Cindy approaches her father with a proposal to buy something he bombards her with logihooey, passionate drivel about how he had to work for everything he has ever owned. To hear him, you would think that, as a baby, he had to work to buy his own diapers.
Etymology: logic (reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity) + hooey (nonsense)
Philosophistry
Created by: CharlieB
Pronunciation: fill-oh-sof-is-tree
Sentence: George Osbourne's sense of his place in the world was completely dement-Id. 'The bankers' failure should be rewarded with more perks, because they're from Eton and will do the right thing,' he rationa-lies-ed to the country.
Etymology: philsophy (system of personal beliefs) + sophistry (a false argument)
Fishstorian
Created by: toadstool57
Pronunciation: fish-stor-ee-un
Sentence: My dad, the dontor, was a great fishstorian, luring me away from any prospect by telling tales of "back in the day" when he chose that option.
Etymology: fish story, historian
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COMMENTS:
very clever! - wordmeister, 2007-04-19: 04:14:00
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Negatiate
Created by: suzanne
Pronunciation: negg-ate-ee-ate
Sentence: Mary wanted to study German but her father negatieted by saying how he had lived his whole life speaking only English and he had never been arrested.
Etymology: neg- from nagative atiate - derivative from negotiate.
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COMMENTS:
probably should be negatiator, but the sentence alone is worth a vote - galwaywegian, 2007-04-18: 05:22:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by vonnegut. Thank you vonnegut. ~ James