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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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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.

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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:

playdohheart Ooh, this is an interesting spin on the definition. - playdohheart, 2007-04-18: 07:37:00

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Tangenter

Created by: Silent0

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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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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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

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Discouragent

Created by: galwaywegian

Pronunciation: disk urr a jent

Sentence: He respectfully suggested that the laws of physics would have to be rewritten in order for that particular position would prove successful (in terms of a non lethat outcome), proving that he was a complete discouragent

Etymology: discouragement, gentleman

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COMMENTS:

oops, i meant non- lethal. - galwaywegian, 2007-04-18: 05:09:00

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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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Resentimental

Created by: rebelvin

Pronunciation: RESENT+sentIMENTAL

Sentence: His nostalgic remembrances seemed filled with envy and resentimental overtones, negating our struggles by harping on what we have that he never had.

Etymology: RESENT+sentIMENTAL

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Pisstorian

Created by: pinwheel

Pronunciation: piss/tor/ee/an

Sentence: I don't believe grandpa really lived in a cardboard box and only had stale bread and water when he was a child. He must be a pisstorian!

Etymology: Piss (as in taking the piss) + historian

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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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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