DEFINITION: v. To unintentionally encourage bad behavior by responding to it in a manner that incites even worse behavior. n. A response designed to stop bad behavior, which paradoxically produces more of it.
VERBOTICISMS: (Invented words created by the Verbotomy Writers)
Naggravate: /-NAG-ruh-veyt-/ Matt was normally an aggressive driver — he practiced ‘offensive driving’ rather than ‘defensive driving’ — and when his passengers complained it would only naggravate the situation. Unfortunately, Matt’s girlfriend, Mona, still hadn’t learned this, and their roadtrips would turn into white-knuckled rollercoaster rides of reckless driving and near accidents, which only grew worse as Mona’s screams intensified. Etymology: Nag – to annoy by persistent faultfinding, complaints, or demands (from Old Norse, gnaga “to complain”) + Aggravate – to make worse or more severe; intensify; irritate (from Latin, aggravÄre “to burden”) Created by: Tigger.
Comments on Naggravate:
TJayzz, 2008-05-20: 11:28:00
Good word!!galwaywegian, 2008-05-20: 10:28:00
good word. love Mona.Nosila, 2008-05-20: 22:40:00
Was her name Mona Lott? Good WordTigger, 2008-05-21: 00:30:00
Yes, it was! Do you know her too?OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 01:20:00
Good word
Wrecktify: /rek tifff eye/ Herhigh pitched complaints only managed to wrectify the situation, as she put her foot on the imaginery brake. Etymology: rectify wreck.
Created by: galwaywegian.
Comments on Wrecktify:
Nosila, 2008-05-20: 22:37:00
wreckscellent word!OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 01:21:00
Nice word.
Misscipline: /miss-i-plin/ Missipline is the result of misplaced discipline. Etymology: discipline + miss Created by: bookowl.
Dissuascalation: /dis-sway-sca-lay-shun/ Bobby, just ignore your brother. You know that when you tell him not to swear he just tells you to f&*$ #$%&&% )!!@^&$$. I know you mean well, but it’s just a dissuascalation. Etymology: dissuasion (discouragement) + escalation (increase, especially in the case of military escalation where every action is responded to with greater force) Created by: petaj.
To see more verboticisms for this definition go to:
https://www.verbotomy.com/verboticisms.php?jid=alpha
Be Creative,
James
www.verbotomy.com
the create-a-word game
Definition Comments:
Verbotomy – 2008-05-20: 00:00:01
Today’s definition is inspired by Amy Sutherland’s observation that if we are going to use “progressive animal training techniques” on humans, that we simply need to reward behavior we want and ignore behavior we don’t. Of course this is easier said than done, and requires a great deal of self-awareness and self-discipline. In fact, Amy calls it the “Zen of Animal Training”. See: “What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage”. Thanks Amy! ~ James