Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To focus on your weaknesses, rather than your strengths. n. A person who is obsessed with their perceived deficiencies, and works hard to ensure that everyone else understands and appreciates their failings.
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.
Defectitude
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: de-fect-ta-tude
Sentence: Sally's defectitude about her skills ensured that she would remain at the bottom of the typing pool for her entire career because she convinced everyone else that she lacked the ability to perform competently.
Etymology: defect: imperfection, deficiency, shortcoming + attitude: belief, outlook, approach
Vulnerabillisme
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: vul ner abil is me
Sentence: Chuck sat at his desk telling Denise, the new receptionist, how his reports were brief and he was not strong in public speaking or doing up a presentation. She thought it very strange given he was the Marketing Director and he had to give presentations, public speeches and detailed reports all the time. His vulnerabillisme was cute until she figured out how much they were paying him to do so little, when she could do the job and be a success!
Etymology: Vulnerability (susceptibility to injury or attack; the state of being vulnerable or exposed) & Is Me (it's all about you...)
Manglomaniac
Created by: karenanne
Pronunciation: MAN gah lo MAIN ee ak
Sentence: Dexter Knott made sure that everyone knew how difficult most tasks were for him and how slowly he worked, so that they wouldn't ask much of him. He was a notable manglomaniac, pointing out how he would probably mangle whatever responsibility was laid at his doorstep, and then suggesting that someone else would do a better job. He made such comments as, "Why don't you give the project to Lee Derr? He thrives on 'management opportunities.'" As a result, he mostly got to slack off while his more capable and ambitious colleagues basically got used. In the end, since they were all on a set pay scale, they all got paid the same.
Etymology: mangle + megalomaniac
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COMMENTS:
Lee Derr...like it! - Nosila, 2010-07-03: 22:43:00
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Degretation
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: degh-reh-TAY-shun
Sentence: Carletons sense of self worth was flimsy at best, bordering on nonexistent, and he would frequently abase himself in his self styled degretation, using verbal self abuse and humiliation.
Etymology: Blend of degrade and reputation
Privatedefective
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: pry vat dee tek tiv
Sentence: Yeah, she could not shoot, she did not take great photos and she had great trouble solving cases, but Sue Dopol Eese was a privatedefective. She fell asleep at stakeouts, she lost tails by being distracted with signs of upcoming sales and straying husbands and dishonest employees everywhere knew she was rubbish at her job. She could not find a lost sole in a shoe factory. She was therefore delighted when she was accepted for CIA Basic Training Camp...and she knew she would graduate top of her class.
Etymology: private(concerning one person exclusively or concerning things deeply private and personal) & (defective(markedly subnormal in structure or function or intelligence or behavior) & for rhyming: private detective (you know like Mannix, Magnum PI,etc).
Pessimeister
Created by: DrWebsterIII
Pronunciation: Pes - a - misetr
Sentence: Peter was such a pessimeister. He was always pontificating on the possible negative outcome and preached about his problems and flaws.
Etymology: Pessimist (one who focuses on the negative) + Meister (master)
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COMMENTS:
hahaha funny...like it. - mweinmann, 2009-06-09: 17:28:00
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Lackasavvical
Created by: youmustvotenato
Pronunciation: lack-a-saav-eh-cull
Sentence: Larry, lackasavvical as usual, didn't want anyone to ask him to do anything since he seemed like he couldn't do anything.
Etymology: lackadaisical*(lacking+savvy)
Flunkard
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /flung-kerd/ (pronounced like 'drunkard')
Sentence: Larry would often set low standards for himself and then consistently fail to meet those standards. As a habitual flunkard, Larry found that there were very few tasks entrusted to him at the office. Management, having noticed this, were quick to assume that he was quite skilled at delegating assignments, and offered him a promotion.
Etymology: Flunk - failure to meet minimum performance standards (English slang, from alteration of British university slang, funk "to be frightened, shrink from") + Drunkard - a chronic, habitual drinker (from Old English, druncen, pp. of "to drink"); Flunkard = a chronic, habitual failure.
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COMMENTS:
great sentence Tigger - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:21:00
Great word! - Mustang, 2008-04-29: 23:23:00
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Imperfectshine
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: im-purr-fekt-shine
Sentence: she reasoned that the world needed some ugly models and she would damn well imperfectshine her way to the top!
Etymology: imperfection, shine
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COMMENTS:
Well thought out! - TJayzz, 2008-04-29: 11:13:00
good for her - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:20:00
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Incompambition
Created by: pieceof314
Pronunciation: in comp am bih shun
Sentence: Jake was no stranger to incompambition. He learned quickly in his youthful slacker days that hard work and brains only stiffled one's rise to the top. If you become too important for your position, there is no incentive to promote you. Jake never put his best foot forward and thus he carefully fumbled his way to the top.
Etymology: incompetent + ambition
Comments:
Today's definition is inspired by Johnny Bunko's Career Secret # 2: "Think strengths, not weaknesses". See: "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" by Dan Pink. Thanks Dan! ~ James
Today's definition is inspired by Johnny Bunko's Career Secret # 2: "Think strengths, not weaknesses". See: "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" by Dan Pink. Thanks Dan! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by johnnybunko. Thank you johnnybunko. ~ James