Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To push yourself so hard to reach an impossibly high standard of perfection, that you undercut your own success. n. An impossibly high goal which practically guarantees failure.
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.
Metopia
Created by: toadstool57
Pronunciation: mee-toe-pee-a
Sentence: Bob would always metopia projects at work in order to get noticed; giving more than the boss wanted, only to end up being reprimanded for wasting time on minutia.
Etymology: me, utopia
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
And it sounds like myopia too! Good one! - wordmeister, 2007-01-16: 10:20:00
----------------------------
Undergrasp
Created by: ErWenn
Pronunciation: /"un-d&r-'grasp/
Sentence: When the couple played Spades, he would always underbid and she would always overbid; between his overreaching and her undergrasping, they'd usually break even.
Etymology: From the common phrase "his reach exceeds his grasp"
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Good word ErWenn! This is a word you could us on an everyday basis -- at least if you know people like that... - wordmeister, 2007-01-16: 10:55:00
Thanks, I was happy with that one. It's nice to come up with one that's not just a portmanteau. - ErWenn, 2007-01-17: 00:15:00
----------------------------
Masochristic
Created by: hyperborean
Pronunciation: ma-so-krih-stihk
Sentence: He tried so hard to be perfect it was masochristic. How would Jesus shave?
Etymology: masochist + christ
Deafucess
Created by: Windyo
Pronunciation: Di/fu/x/ess
Sentence: Poor guy, he just had to go and deafucess. You've gotta know where to stop
Etymology: Defeat + success
Martryer
Created by: Carla
Pronunciation: mah-trigh-er
Sentence: Simon's self-loathing drove him to pursue impossible goals. When, inevitably, he failed, he could at least wallow in the sanctimonious self-pity of a martryer.
Etymology: martyr + try
Reachforthechop
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: ree/ch/for/th/chop
Sentence: In his quest to reach for the top he unfortunately joined the ranks who reachforthechop.
Etymology: reach for the top + chop
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
You mean he lost his fingers? Good thing he was using his hand... - wordmeister, 2007-01-16: 10:46:00
I was thinking of something a little more precious...jewels come to mind - Jabberwocky, 2007-01-16: 11:51:00
Yes, when you reachforthechop, it could be quite distastorious if you choose the wrong goal, or worse, choose the wrong tool... - wordmeister, 2007-01-16: 12:02:00
----------------------------
Mortain
Created by: EonaFrae
Pronunciation: more-tane
Sentence: I'd been struggling all year to mortain good grades, but for some reason my coveted A+ remained illusive.
Etymology: Mort [french: dead] + Attain [To accomplish, to achieve]
Beyoself
Created by: adbern
Pronunciation: Beyo-self
Sentence: There's just one solution...beyoself
Etymology: be your self
