Author: James Gang

Why do you always carry that file folder?

DEFINITION: n. A prop (e.g. papers, files or any non-functional equipment) used to create the illusion of busyness. v. tr. To use such a prop to mask inactivity.

Why do you always carry that file folder?

VERBOTICISMS: (Invented words created by the Verbotomy Writers)

Slackcessory: /slak-sess-or-ee/ Phil’s slackcessory wasn’t fooling anyone. The “tech manual” he was toting around was the instruction booklet for his lawn mower. Apparently, he was Fridazed when he took that course on shirkonomics. Etymology: slack (to avoid work), accessory Created by: purpleartichokes.

Industricators: /in-DUST-ri-caters/ Memo To: WOT Team….. From: WOT Team Leader %%%%%%%%%%%% Hi Team, The big boss is coming to visit on Friday. Please make sure that you have a good selection of industricators and suggestoilibles on hand to ensure that she leaves with ‘right’ impression. We don’t want her to think that WOT stands for Waste of Time. ta, oh and please eat this memo before Friday. Etymology: industry + indicator + extricate (could get the lazy staffer an allayoffment, and out of a sticky situation) Created by: petaj.

Evidiligence: /-ˌɛvəˈdɪlÉ™dÊ’É›ns-/ While folders and papers make excellent passive evidiligence for someone on the move, a mobile phone or PDA can serve the same purpose even when seated at one’s desk, though such tools require an active effort to complete the effect of slackofflage. Etymology: From evidence + diligence Created by: ErWenn.

Phantofiles: /fan-tuh-files/ John had six different coloured sets of phantofiles he alternated at various times of the day to keep ‘The Man’ off his case and to demonstrate his industriousness and multitasking abilities. “Damn, he’s good!” thought his boss. “He’s completed three different projects today and it’s only noon.” John’s phantofiles put him in line for a raise. Etymology: phantom + files Created by: Stevenson0.

To see more verboticisms for this definition go to:
https://www.verbotomy.com/verboticisms.php?jid=strategy

Be Creative,

James

www.verbotomy.com
the create-a-word game

When I said that you’re a loser, I meant it as a compliment

DEFINITION: v. tr. to exercise power through the strategic use of personal insults, while pretending to offer encouragement. n. A leader who uses such methods.

When I said that you're a loser, I meant is a compliment.

VERBOTICISMS: (Invented words created by the Verbotomy Writers)

Condemnagog: /kun-dem-ah-gog/ At the meeting, we counted six insults proffered by Frank, the condemnagog, including one subtle double-slam on the presenter’s mentor. Etymology: condemn, demagog Created by: purpleartichokes.

Mockliment: /-ˈmÉ‘kləˌmÉ›nt-/ It wasn’t the fact that he mocklimented everyone that was so annoying; it was the fact that he seemed to think everyone was too stupid to notice. Etymology: From compliment + mock Created by: ErWenn.

Demeanager: /duh-meen-aj-err/ he liked his job but he couldn’t stand his new demeanager Etymology: demean, manager Created by: rikboyee.

Humiliaid: /hyoo-mil-ee-eyd/ Rachel would humiliaid every salesman in the department. She ripped every salesman apart personally then pushed them to exceed last month’s sales targets. Etymology: humiliate + aid Created by: Stevenson0.

To see more verboticisms for this definition go to:
https://www.verbotomy.com/verboticisms.php?jid=under

Be Creative,

James

www.verbotomy.com
the create-a-word game

I think this is a game of hide and seek.

DEFINITION: n. A momentary feeling of relief mixed with lingering dread, which occurs when your boss marches past the piles of unfinished work on your desk.

I think this is a game of hide and seek.

VERBOTICISMS: (Invented words created by the Verbotomy Writers)

Intraypidation: /in-tray-pid-ay-shun/ whenever i became too overwhelmed with intraypidation i would head to the kitchen for a bit of subterfridge Etymology: in tray, intrepid, trepidation Created by: rikboyee.

Allayoffment: /al-ay-off-ment/ A wave of allayoffment passed over him as he narrowly escaped being asked to produce last week’s revenue figures. Etymology: allayment (relief) + lay off (as in being fired) Created by: Jabberwocky.

Deskapism: /desk ape isum/ the euphoria of deskapism evaporated when the vp’s number lit up his intercom. Etymology: desk, escapism Created by: galwaywegian.

Bossgumps: /BAWS-guhmps / Jeremy got bossgumps every time Mr. Schmidt passed his desk to examine his ever-mounting horriPILEation. (D’oh!) It was getting so he didn’t even have a chance to play Dr. Mario anymore. Etymology: boss + goose bumps (sorta) Created by: Clayton.

To see more verboticisms for this definition go to:
https://www.verbotomy.com/verboticisms.php?jid=gust

Be Creative,

James

www.verbotomy.com
the create-a-word game

Ooopy goopy poopy poo.

DEFINITION: n An invented language similar to baby talk, used by pet owners to communicate with their pets. v. tr. To speak to an animal using such a language.

Ooopy goopy poopy poo.

VERBOTICISMS: (Invented words created by the Verbotomy Writers)

Petois: /pet-twa/ Madeleine took her tiny dog off to Paris in her handbag and spoke to it lovingly in petois to stop it barking on the Metro. It was a curious mix of French and doggy noises. Etymology: pet + patois (non-standard speech/creole) Created by: petaj.

Furnacular: /Fer-nack-yoo-ler/ It takes hard working and determination, almost 7 years in college, and 4 years of trade school to learn the furnacular of pets. Etymology: Fur (the hair of certain animals) + vernacular (language spoken in a specific place) Created by: ziggy41.

Bingolingo: /bing-oh-ling-oh/ There was a farmer who became famous for his bingolingo. They even have a song about him (Ready Purple) There was a farmer had a dog and bingo was his name oh – all together now B-I-N-G-O Etymology: lingo + Bingo (famous dog) Created by: Jabberwocky.

Petsperanto: /pets-puh-RAHN-toh/ Petsperanto became fashionable once again in the 23rd century, but by then it resembled Klingon. Later it would lean more toward bafflegab, just as it always had, but Star Trek was taken a bit more seriously in those halcyon days. Of all the people to reanimate, why’d they pick Shatner? Etymology: pet + Esperanto Created by: Clayton.

To see more verboticisms for this definition go to:
https://www.verbotomy.com/verboticisms.php?jid=puppy

Be Creative,

James

www.verbotomy.com
the create-a-word game

The Globe and Mail: Getting together to make up words

In a review on collective writing projects published today in Globe and Mail, Verbotomy is described as “the most entertaining” and as “a word-invention game of the sort you’ll find in quality publications”.

The review which appears in an article titled “Wikibook = Wikibomb” was written by Tivor Tossell, a columnist who writes for “Seven” the weekly entertainment review published by the Globe and Mail, Canada’s National Newspaper.

Tossell does an analysis of several online collective projects including A Million Penguins by Penguin Books, Portrayl.com, Glypho.com, Ficlets.com, and Verbotomy. The print article features a screen shot of the Verbotomy website with the caption: “Verbotomy.com succeeds because it only ask writers to invent a single word.” After reviewing the each of the other collective writing projects, Tossell concludes with his take on Verbotomy:

Which knocks us down to the lowest rung on the ladder, which, as it happens, is the most entertaining: getting together to make up words. At Verbotomy.com, users play a word-invention game of the sort you’ll find in quality publications. Every weekday, artist and programmer James Gang posts an illustrated definition; players compete to invent a word to describe it. Most of the results are puns and most of the puns are terrible, which, being puns, only makes them better.

To wit: A third wheel, invited to stay by a couple despite manifest awkwardness, is a “matecrasher.” Emotional frustration at e-mail being returned to sender is “emailaise.” Feeling disappointment at a stupid mistake is to be “blunderstruck.” Think you can do worse? Step right up.

See the full story: Wikibook = Wikibomb

Special congratulations to Steveson0 (matecrasher), Clayton (emailise) and Rikboyee (blunderstruck) for getting their words quoted in the article.