Vote for the best verboticism.

'Honey, you just ran a red light!'

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.

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Verboticisms

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Tranquilose

Created by: Rutilus

Pronunciation: tran-kwi-looz

Sentence: However hard Peggy tried to pacify Ivan's ire she only ever seem to tranquilose him and in the process make him even more uptight. She was getting tired of this relationship and wanted out!

Etymology: tranquilise - to pacify; lose - to be defeated (in purpose)

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Negatentional

mrskellyscl

Created by: mrskellyscl

Pronunciation: neg-a-ten-shen-al

Sentence: As a teacher, Mary knew that negatentional responses were equal to posintentional ones to the kids who acted up to get her attention, although the results were disastrous for her classroom management. She soon realized that by nagging Kevin the same result would happen, Kevin would do the opposite of what she wanted to get a response from her. She decided to ignore the inappropriate behavior and reward him for proper behavior, just as she would her kindergarten children, in order for him to get posattention from her.

Etymology: negative: unfavorable or disconfirming + intentional: done deliberately + attention: notice or recognition. Teachers and trainers understand that to some children or animals negative attention is just as good as positive attention because it gives them the reward of recognition and response.

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COMMENTS:

Do I not lie it? Negatory! Good word. - Nosila, 2009-06-30: 17:31:00

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Motifate

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: moe tiff ate

Sentence: Carla was determined to make her twin, Carl, pass his driver's license. While he depended on her for transport, she would never have freedom. With his own license, she would no longer have him accompanying her everywhere. She tried to motifate him and inspire him by coaching him: "Turn left, Carl; Watch that car ahead of you, Carl; turn on your signal light, Carl and slow down, Carl". When Carl heard her suggestions, it made him rebel and say things out loud to annoy her, like: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Car, How I wish I was a Star". Yes, unfortunately Carla's words intended to motifate Carl, made him go from Bad to Verse...

Etymology: motivate (incite, inspire,educate) & motif (a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work) & fate (an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future;your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you.

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Contradick

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: käntrədik

Sentence: Katy has just about had it with her boyfriend. He is such a contradick. Whenever she suggests a change to his behavior, he re-doubles his bad behavior to prove his independence.

Etymology: contradictory (mutually opposed or inconsistent) + dick (slang: jerk)

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Exacerbloop

Created by: OZZIEBOB

Pronunciation: Eks-asz-SUR-bloop

Sentence: When Bob tried to smooth things over with a few words of "wisdom", he quickly found out that many an embarassing moment wouldn't be so embarassing if it only lasted a moment. The daftermath of his exacerblooper and exacerblooping, lead to a hellishing harangue from Roxie that lasted an hour.

Etymology: Blend of EXACERBate & BLOOP/er: an embarassing, silly, verbal error, usually during a serious moment.

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COMMENTS:

great sentence - Jabberwocky, 2008-05-20: 15:32:00

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Fortidefy

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: fôrtədifī

Sentence: Joanne knows all about the concept of reverse psychology. It is easy for her to get her children and husband to do what she wants by getting them to fortidefy her nagging.

Etymology: fortify (strengthen or invigorate) + defy (openly resist or refuse to obey)

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Exacerbait

Created by: theCountess

Pronunciation: ex ass er bate

Sentence: Jill would constantly exacerbait Jack to complete exasperation; I think that's why he's now her ex.

Etymology: Exacerbate & Bait

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COMMENTS:

Good one - Nosila, 2010-07-21: 00:15:00

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Goaddigrrr

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: gode/di/dur

Sentence: Sally's attempts at being a gold digger by encouraging her boyfriend to spend more money on her by telling him he reminded her of her favourite rock star backfired when she inadvertently became a goaddiggrr encouraging him instead to trash their apartment.

Etymology: goad + gold digger + grrr

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Hamperpetuate

Created by: rebelvin

Pronunciation: HAMper+PERPETUATE

Sentence: Whatever you do, don't even mention his driving, you will only hamperpetuate his bad habits.

Etymology: HAMper+PERPETUATE

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Wrecktify

Created by: galwaywegian

Pronunciation: rek tifff eye

Sentence: Herhigh pitched complaints only managed to wrectify the situation, as she put her foot on the imaginery brake.

Etymology: rectify wreck.

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COMMENTS:

wreckscellent word! - Nosila, 2008-05-20: 22:37:00

Nice word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 01:21:00

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Comments:

Verbotomy 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

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2009-06-30: 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

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2010-07-20: 00:00:00
Today's definition was suggested by amysutherland. Thank you amysutherland. ~ James

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