Verbotomy launches on “b”, Baltimore’s free daily newspaper


Verbotomy: Are you stuck for a word? Play Verbotomy at b.

Verbotomy, the daily create-a-word game is launching at b, Baltimore’s free daily newspaper. The game has been completely integrated into b’s website (www.bthesite.com) using the paper’s existing log-in system. Each day, b readers are challenged to invent a word to match the new definition, and vote for their favorites. Winning word of the day is published in the print edition.

The launch with the b is being promoted with the release of a new Verbotomy “movie trailer”, titled “Are you stuck for a Word?” The video features invented words created by (or for) Dan Pink (Johnny Bunko), Amy Sutherland, Kurt Vonnegut and Britney Spears — artists and writers who have all been featured on Verbotomy. The video is also a “call to action”, urging everyone to invent new words “to describe the incredibly weird things that are happening today”. And to do it, not just for themselves, but “for the whole frigging planet!”

See and share the video here:
https://www.verbotomy.com/verbotomize.php

How Verbotomy Works
Verbotomy works like a three-way cross between a puzzle, comic and blog. Every day we would publish a new definition and comic. Readers are challenged to create an invented word to match the definition, and vote for their favorite. The winning word of the day gets featured with the comic in the print edition.

Here are sample print pages from the first week:

Verbotomy in b
July 22 PDF

Benefits for b:

  1. Integrated Cross-Platform Entertainment: Daily content for web and print editions.
  2. Hilarious User-Generated Content: It’s a showcase for reader creativity and cleverness.
  3. A Social Networking Game: Voting, sharing, groups, and something to talk about every day.
  4. Right-Brain Exercise: Verbotomy is good for you! It’s the daily brain exercise that keeps your creative mind sharp — like Sudoku for your imagination.
  5. Snack Culture: Daily easy-to-digest content fix.

Verbotomy is Easy

  • Easy-to-understand game concept (Invent a word to match the definition and comic.)
  • Easy to manage content and users (Daily content fix which encourages short, funny and focused, user-generated content.)
  • Easy technical set-up (Integrated int site using the same technology as Google Gadgets. Produces daily print-ready PDFs sized to fit publisher print specifications.)

For more details see the Verbotomy Publisher’s Overview

About Verbotomy
Verbotomy is the create-a-word game and comic. Every day we publish a new definition and comic. Players are challenged to create a word to match the definition, and then vote for the best. It’s creative, satirical and quirky, so it’s usually good for a laugh… And as a creative brain exercise, it’s also good for you!

Newspaper publishers use Verbotomy as a tool to build local communities and showcase cross-platform, user-generated content. The game works like a three-way cross between a puzzle, a comic and a blog and can be easily integrated into the publishers site. The online game produces daily batches of short, funny, localized, user-generated content — the winning word of the day and comic — which get published in the print editions.

About “b”
b is the new Baltimore free daily newspaper and website for people in their 20s and 30s. With its companion newspaper, b, the site is an ongoing conversation among our reporters, bloggers and readers, to provide the most complete picture of what’s going on in the area. See : www.bthesite.com

Husband launches into an hour-long boomharangue

I just got off the phone with my mother!

DEFINITION: v. To take the frustration and anger you receive from one person and redirect it towards another person, usually of lower status. n. An act of aggression directed towards an individual or object that was not the source of provocation.

I just got off the phone with my mother!

VERBOTICISMS: (Invented words created by the Verbotomy Writers)

Boomharangue: /BOOM-huh-rang/ Mia was feeling giddy as she walked into the apartment. She’d gotten a promotion at work, and then she spent time with her girlfriends after work to celebrate. Now she was coming home to spend the evening with her handsome, charming man Julian. But it all came to a screeching halt as she heard the announcer on the television across the room: “And the final score is Red Sox 3, Yankees 0.” His precious Yankees had lost yet again. The rest of the evening would be miserable now as Julian vented his frustrations about the game by launching into an hour-long boomharangue, yelling at Mia about even the most trivial things. Etymology: boomerang + harangue Created by: TimTheEnchanter.

Comments on Boomharangue:

galwaywegian, 2008-05-23: 13:21:00
great word

Mustang, 2008-05-23: 23:59:00
Excellent verboticism.

OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-25: 07:29:00
great word.

Bleedership: /blee dur sh ipp/ Patsy shifted nervously in her seat. While waiting for her quarterly review from Ms. Badger, she had heard her superior being telephonetically eviscerated by the new VP. She waited as her superior flicked through her file with shaking hands. Suddenly, the pain left Ms. Badger’s face as she smoothed out one of the pages in the file. The bleedership was about to begin. Etymology: leadership, bleed Created by: galwaywegian.

Comments on Bleedership:

Jabberwocky, 2008-05-23: 09:07:00
fantastic sentence

skeeterzirra, 2008-05-23: 20:01:00
I love your definition.

“What do you mean bleedership is bad management! It’s what our company excels at!”

Approxyberate: /a-prox-ee-bee-rate/ When Jim returned from the Director’s annual budget meeting he chose the newest member of staff to appoxyberate. Etymology: a + proxy (substitute) + berate + approximate (close to) Created by: Jabberwocky.

Comments on Approxyberate:

OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-25: 19:33:00
Nice word – I toyed with proxiberate for a while.

Deciberate: /des-uh-bi-REYT/ When things went wrong in the Office, Bob’s unique management style immediately swung into top gear. Hapless newcomers, he had to show them who was in charge, were randomly singled out and vexcoriated. And not to let sleeping dogmas lie or trembling tyros touch base with tranquility, he deciberated them with a dictatorial delight. However, we all know about the best laid plans of mice and maniacs; don’t we ? Well, it seemed that Bob didn’t. For just before noon on April 1st, and under terrible stress to explain to the Managing Director why he had not meet last month’s sales targets, he eyed a underling sauntering aimlessly around the office with strange box in his hands. With volcanic verbosity he erupted in a rage, yelling incoherently at the poor lad about the importance of ancillaries. Perplexed, but with patience, the young fellow endured Bob’s rambling threats of dire and dismissal until, at last, he had a chance to speak up. Apolegetic in carefully explaining to Bob that he fully understood the problem of the missed targets, he assured him that, in future, all pizzas ordered for the monthly luncheons shall have anchovies. Etymology: DECI: as in decimate, to select and punish by lot every tenth person; or randomly, without forethought, by chance. Nowadays, used incorrectly (pedants note) for “destroy a large portion of”. BERATE: to chide vehemently; to scold, censure angrily or severely. Created by: OZZIEBOB.

Comments on Deciberate:

Jabberwocky, 2008-05-23: 09:03:00
wow Bob, we must have been on the same wavelength with this one – love your word – similar yet very different than mine

Nosila, 2008-05-23: 21:18:00
Good one…that’s what Bob gets for giving people a pizza his mind!

To see more verboticisms for this definition go to:

https://www.verbotomy.com/verboticisms.php?jid=aggress

Be Creative,

James

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

Definition Comments:

Verbotomy2008-05-22: 00:00:01

Today’s definition is inspired by the Amy Sutherland’s advice that a good animal trainer is always observant and reads the “cues”. If your subject is displaying signs that he or she is about to “let loose”, it’s probably good idea to back off. Amy also reminds us that we must be aware of our own internal cues. For more tips, read her chapter on “Working with Big Cats”. See: “What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage”. Thanks Amy! ~ James

Etaskulated male learns to knit

DEFINITION: v. To prevent someone from participating in an undesired activity by engaging them in another activity which makes it impossible to do the first. n. Two things cannot be done at the same time.

How did you get your boyfriend to stop scratching his nuts?

VERBOTICISMS: (Invented words created by the Verbotomy Writers)

Etaskulate: /e-task-u-late/ Jenny had such control over Joe that she could easily etaskulate him. A planned night out at the pub with Joe’s friends, or a Saturday golf game was always interrupted by Jenny’s sudden urge to have him learn knitting, or help her sort her fashion magazine collection. Etymology: ETASKULATE – VERB – from EMASCULATE (to castrate; to deprive of strength, or vigor; to weaken) + TASK Created by: Stevenson0.

Comments on Etaskulate:

galwaywegian, 2008-05-22: 07:55:00
excellent!

Jabberwocky, 2008-05-22: 13:37:00
estastic!

OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 18:51:00
Top word.

Nosila, 2008-05-22: 20:42:00
E-xcellent word!

Vacilasectomy: /va-sil-ah-sec-tummy/ After his vacilasectomy Jim couldn’t bear the thought of staying focussed on anything for more than a few seconds. Etymology: vacillate + vasectomy Created by: Jabberwocky.

Comments on Vacilasectomy:

OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 08:18:00
Funny & nicely blended word.

Nosila, 2008-05-22: 20:43:00
One of those words that makes men cross their legs..

Subterguile: /SUB – ter – gile/ Ambrosia employed a two pronged game of subterguile on her couch potato fiance, Guilford, first distracting him with alluring smiles and suggestions and then offering other options to lure him away from another weeked of non stop gaming with his LAN buddies on his computer. Etymology: Blend of subterfuge and beguile Created by: Mustang.

Comments on Subterguile:

petaj, 2008-05-22: 06:15:00
Inspired choice of names. Ambrosia and Guilford, Troilus and Cressida, Romeo and Juliet

Jabberwocky, 2008-05-22: 13:40:00
excellent

OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 18:56:00
Beguiling!

Womanipulate: /wooh man ipp yew layt/ Anytime the Honkers games were televised, she would use her considerable stache of lingerie to womanipulate the situation. Anything to prevent the new couch being covered with beer and pizza stains. Etymology: woman, manipulate Created by: galwaywegian.

Comments on Womanipulate:

Jabberwocky, 2008-05-22: 13:41:00
I wonder if lingerie works for Hockey as well…hmmm

OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 18:46:00
A good “dressing-down” often works!

OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 18:46:00
A good “dressing-down” often works!

To see more verboticisms for this definition go to:

https://www.verbotomy.com/verboticisms.php?jid=peanuts

Be Creative,

James

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

Definition Comments:

Verbotomy2008-05-21: 00:00:01

Today’s definition is inspired by the “Joy of Incompatible Behaviors”. It’s Amy Sutherland’s secret weapon for dealing with people who have annoying habits which they can’t seem to control. The secret is not to try to stop them, but rather get them on another track. See: “What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage”. Thanks Amy! ~ James

Nosila’s Quirkchange Quickly Quells the Quarrelsome Queen

DEFINITION: n. An ingrained habit which is so entrenched in individual’s personality that they practically have an identity crisis if anyone tries to change it. v. To try to modify a person’s instinctive behavior and/or unconscious habits.

I can't believe I fell in love with this guy

VERBOTICISMS: (Invented words created by the Verbotomy Writers)

Quirkchange: /kwerk chainj/ Quentin and Queenie Quinn were quintessentially the most quarrellous and quibblesome couple in Quebec. When Quentin would send a quip Queenie’s way, she would quickfire back some quirky response. Sometimes their quarrels became so loud that the neighbours would call in the Quebec Police to quell the quake. Queenie decided to take a quantum leap and improve the quality of their lives. In a quandary and tired of quipping about quarters, quarks, quacks, quads, and quinine, she quaranteed them in their Quonset Hut for a week to try and question their quest for marriage quiet. Although Queenie had become a quirkchange artist, Quentin was still quick-tempered. Queenie quaffed quantities of quince wine quarts to quench her thirst and give her courage. She invited Quentin under their quilt and told him that although quirkchange would be impossible with him, she loved him anyway. He said, and I quote: “Join the queue!” and the quarrel resumed… Etymology: Quick-Change (adept at changing from one thing to another especially changing costumes; “a quick-change artist”) + Quirk (a strange attitude or habit) + Change (make or become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one’s or its former characteristics or essence) Created by: Nosila.

Comments on Quirkchange:

OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 01:23:00
Clever.

Alternature: /ALL – tur – nay – chur/ Thoroughly fed up with Artemis’ slovenly habits, Mirabel devised a complicated alternature scheme wherein she planned to create changes in his long standing habits if only little by little. Etymology: Blend of alter, alternate, and nature Created by: Mustang.

Comments on Alternature:

Nosila, 2008-05-21: 21:31:00
Good word, Mustang…Mirabel would need to be a witch to really get a change in him…

Innerbentshun: /in-ur-bent-shun/ Chris’ predilection for licking his plate after supper forced Sally to arrange an intervention. This quickly turned into an innerbentshun when Chris disappeared in to the kitchen with all the dirty plates and cutlery and licked them all clean. Etymology: inner + bent(inclination, habit) + shun + intervention Created by: Jabberwocky.

Comments on Innerbentshun:

Nosila, 2008-05-21: 21:36:00
And I thought an innerbentshin was when we all did yoga!! Good Word.

OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 01:22:00
Good word.

Intrinsick: /in-trin-sick – I defy you to pronounce it any other way/ Gordon collapsed to the floor with a seizure every time his girlfriend tried to work on his intrinsicks. There was no way she would ever be able to get him to have a back, sac and crack wax. Etymology: intrinsic (inherent, elemental, innate) + sick (unwell, suffering from a malaise) Created by: petaj.

Comments on Intrinsick:

daniellegeorge, 2008-05-21: 15:50:00
He’s intrinsically no good!

To see more verboticisms for this definition go to:

https://www.verbotomy.com/verboticisms.php?jid=sloth

Be Creative,

James

www.verbotomy.com

the create-a-word game

Definition Comments:

Verbotomy2008-05-21: 00:00:01

Today’s definition is inspired by Amy Sutherland recommendation that to successfully use Animal Training techniques, you must “Know Your Species”. You must be observant and note their quirks, feeding habits and social structure in order to effectively influence their behavior. Most importantly, you should recognize what part of the animal’s behavior cannot be changed! See: “What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage”. Thanks Amy! ~ James

To naggravate is so unshamu

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.

Honey, you just ran a red light!

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, aggravāre “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 Word

Tigger, 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:

Verbotomy2008-05-20: 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