Vote for the best verboticism.

'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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You have two votes. Click on the words to read the details, then vote your favorite.

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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Nonsequinfer

Created by: Mustang

Pronunciation: non - SEC - win - fur

Sentence: When his daughter asked for a new computer and internet access Eldridge launched into a rambling, disjointed nonsequinfer based on his own life's experiences that not only left Lucretia disappointed and crying, but thoroughly confused as well.

Etymology: Blend of infer and non sequitur, 'an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premise.'

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COMMENTS:

nice blend - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-25: 12:25:00

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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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Theartfuldredger

Created by: bookowl

Pronunciation: the/artful/dred/jur

Sentence: Theartfuldredger is the most unpopular guest at a party.

Etymology: the artful dodger + dredge (as in up from the past)

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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

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Babblogic

Created by: mweinmann

Pronunciation: babel - ojik

Sentence: Cecil's usual babblogic behavior befuddled even the most intelligent person. He was a babblegic in the truest sense in that he could expound a subject for hours and you came away not understanding the point of anything he had said.

Etymology: babble (say or speak incoherently), logic

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Reminosence

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: re/mi/no/sens

Sentence: Whenever she tried to have a meaningful chat with her boyfriend about where their relationship was headed he would veer off topic with crazy reminosenses.

Etymology: reminiscence + no sense

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COMMENTS:

Very good word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-06-25: 09:37:00

Why is it that the road to ruin is the future part of the stroll down memory lane? - Nosila, 2008-06-25: 21:55:00

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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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Duhbate

libertybelle

Created by: libertybelle

Pronunciation: duuh - bate

Sentence: When I told my brother that I was going to take a little time to travel across the Midwest, he launched into a duhbate about how unsafe it was and roving bands of renegade rodeo stars that wander the streets. He told me he had spent some time there during his own rodeo days and he had first hand experience; i know better- that he's never left the New York Metro area.

Etymology: duh + debate

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COMMENTS:

libertybelle i wish i could say that this wasn't based on a true story... - libertybelle, 2011-03-24: 10:14:00

Love it...sounds like your brother is a rodeo clown! - Nosila, 2011-03-25: 00:45:00

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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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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