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.
Anecdoltal
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)
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
terrific! - mrskellyscl, 2009-11-04: 05:25:00
----------------------------
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
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
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Probably the best use of "evangelist" outside occult circles (or should that be pentagrams?). - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-18: 12:14:00
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
----------------------------
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)
Flashyak
Created by: hooterbug
Pronunciation: \ˈflash\ yak\
Sentence: "Kill me now" little Lisa thought as her Dad spew forth another reason she couldnt get a new computer whilst having another flashyak.
Etymology: Combination of Flash meaning to appear suddenly :an idea flashes into her mind or to move with great speed and Yak: to talk persistently to chatter
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
good one! - wordmeister, 2008-06-26: 11:02:00
----------------------------
Allaboutmeathead
Created by: lumina
Pronunciation: ol-uh-bowt-meet-hed
Sentence: Little Suzy knew that there was no way Dad would agree that she was old enough AND responsible enough to have her own laptop. Last time she asked, he went on for over an hour about the days before Google "was invented." She had to listen to "what it REALLY means to do research." Yeah, she was done trying. Dad was nothing but an allaboutmeathead with a library card in his wallet.
Etymology: All about me = Narcissist Meatheard = Meat for brains
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
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
very clever! - wordmeister, 2007-04-19: 04:14:00
----------------------------
Wrang-wrang
Created by: vonnegut
Pronunciation: rang-rang
Sentence: There was a sign around my dead cat's neck. It said, "Meow." I have not seen Krebbs since. Nonetheless, I sense that he was my karass. If he was, he served it as a wrang-wrang.
Etymology: Created by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., for Cat's Cradle, published in 1963.
Prepostulate
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: pre-PAWST-yew-layt
Sentence: In giving reasons to others in defense of his sometimes goofy notions, Elmer would regularly prepostulate, rambling on with odd and sometimes even bizarre rationale.
Etymology: Blend of the words 'preposterous' (adj. contrary to nature, reason, or common sense) and 'postulate' (to claim or assume the existence or truth of, especially as a basis for reasoning or arguing)
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