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'All I had was a wooden brain...'

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.

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Verboticisms

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Tangentvangelist

Created by: porsche

Pronunciation: tan/jent/van/jel/ist

Sentence: My sixth grade teacher was a tangentvangelist who answered every question with a reference to the black plague

Etymology: tangent + evangelist

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COMMENTS:

Probably the best use of "evangelist" outside occult circles (or should that be pentagrams?). - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-18: 12:14:00

playdohheart Good word. Also made me think of that SNL sketch, "In a vannn down by the rivvver". That guy was a tangentvangelist if anyone ever was. - playdohheart, 2007-04-18: 15:09:00

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Philosophistry

CharlieB

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)

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Anecdadalist

playdohheart

Created by: playdohheart

Pronunciation: an-ec-da-da-list

Sentence: "When I was younger I only had one pair of pants. They were purple plaid flares and all the other kids made fun of me. And when you bring up the subject of pants, I think of that and then I get all worried that I'm still just the kid with the proverbial purple plaid flares and you're such an angel of miraculous beauty. I'm going to go lay down now because I'm upset. I don't think I can go out to dinner tonight until I feel validated as a man again... you know... sexually." She sighed, realizing she should have known better than to ask Jim, the master anecdadalist, if she looked fat in these pants.

Etymology: anecdotalist + Dada (an art movement that used nonsense to challenge ideas and concepts)

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COMMENTS:

Fantastic sentence! Can't wait til the book comes out! - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-18: 06:00:00

you get my vote for a great story - Jabberwocky, 2007-04-18: 08:54:00

Just realised that your name could've worked for yesterday's definition. I've seen murderers with shorter sentences, mind. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-18: 13:03:00

Be careful with your acid-ic comments Bulletchewer. Keep in mind Playdoheart's heart is made of playdoh - Jabberwocky, 2007-04-18: 13:17:00

playdohheart Ha, you're right about the name relating to yesterday! But I think a playdohheart would be the one having his or her life molded by someone like a domimator. I did get a bit carried away by the novel-ty of my sentence(/paragraph), but it appears I'll do anything to make the punchline work... the best jokes are dangerous. - playdohheart, 2007-04-18: 14:52:00

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Reproofool

Created by: Alchemist

Pronunciation: re-PRUFE-fool

Sentence: Gran is a veteran reproofool. Every time my cell phone rings, he starts in about "Walking 20 miles to school, uphill both ways..."

Etymology: reproof, fool

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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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Stiflemeister

Created by: thinkbolt

Pronunciation: sty-ful-my-ster

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Manicdotal

Created by: rikboyee

Pronunciation: man-ik-doe-tul

Sentence: In order to get the upperhand in this argument he was going to need to provide some pretty persuasive manicdotal evidence

Etymology: manic, anecdote

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Anecdontalist

Created by: rikboyee

Pronunciation: an-eck-dohn-tul-ist

Sentence: for every hair brained sceme i came up with, grandpa had a story that would convince me to forget about it...he was a master anecdontalist

Etymology: anecdote, don't

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COMMENTS:

Clever anecdote! I hope you had a doting grandma, to counter-balance your donting grandpa. - wordmeister, 2007-04-18: 02:54:00

could be a long anecdonta list - galwaywegian, 2007-04-18: 05:10:00

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Tangenter

Created by: Silent0

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Anecdoltal

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: anikdōltl

Sentence: He is known for his rambling anecdoltal stories. He doesn*t exactly win arguments, he just wears out people with exuberant drivel.

Etymology: anecdotal (not necessarily true or reliable, because based on personal accounts rather than facts or research) + dolt (a stupid person)

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COMMENTS:

mrskellyscl terrific! - mrskellyscl, 2009-11-04: 05:25:00

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-18: 02:13:00
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2008-06-25: 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

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2009-11-04: 00:33:00
Today's definition was suggested by vonnegut. Thank you vonnegut. ~ James