Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. A technological innovation that doesn't work as expected because "normal people" can't figure out how to use it. v. To improve something in a way that makes it much harder to use.
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.
Complacate
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: com plak kayt
Sentence: Initially when you had an IT problem, you just phoned Fred and he'd either tell you how to fix it or come and do it for you. When they installed a new system, they added a voice mail system to log complaints. It was intended to complacate the user. Your complaint was registered, but you had to go through an e-labourate series of "Press this, press that" options. You got nowhere but they figured all that button pushing kept you busy and entertained until they could figure out how you had screwed up their expensive system.
Etymology: Complicate (make more complex, intricate;confusing) & Placate (cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of;lull;mollify)
Modconjob
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: mod-con-job
Sentence: It was all hype and bonhomie in the sales pitch, but I've hit the trough of disillusionment with this modconjob.
Etymology: mod con (modern convenience) + con job (trick pulled by a confidence artist)
Vistappointment
Created by: Alchemist
Pronunciation: vis-tah-POYNY-ment
Sentence: That new self-walking dog leash I bought online turned out to be a big Vistappointment. I couldn't even get it configured to my breed, it kept defaulting to "shih tsu". What a rip!
Etymology: Vista (you know) + disappointment
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COMMENTS:
very topical! - galwaywegian, 2007-03-21: 06:43:00
I don't normally appreciate topical verboticisms, but this one actually rolls off the tongue nicely. - Discoveria, 2007-03-21: 08:44:00
for relief of normal verboticism, apply topically...:-) - Alchemist, 2007-03-21: 09:19:00
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Hardprove
Created by: arlouxo
Pronunciation: hardproove
Sentence: why do you have to hardprove everything?
Etymology: hard: because it became harder / prove: from "improve" because you have moved on
Dummiproving
Created by: Mrgoodtimes
Pronunciation: Dah - mi - pru - veng
Sentence: The scientists lauded themselves for the bulletproofing of the hands-free self-sharpening throwing stars kit, unfortunately recent fatalities have shown it to be dummiproved.
Etymology: Dummy-Proved
Darwinalogical
Created by: chercherlalun
Pronunciation: darwin a logical
Sentence:
Etymology:
Digitknowitall
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: dij it no it all
Sentence: Reggie had bought a fancy new digital radio/alarm clock/coffeemaker/toaster. It was designed to be efficient in the morning by waking him up on time and getting his breakfast ready. His new appliance was a digitknowitall. Great in theory, but he could never get the radio station he liked programmed into it, so he had to listen to newscasts in a foreign language. He could also never program in the correct time...it was always an hour behind or so. The coffee tasted like something you would expect would come out of a new computer and the toast was always burned black. His only consolation was that the smoke detector awoke him if the alarm failed, the coffee was a handy extinguisher for the burnt breakfast offerings and his clock was right twice a day.
Etymology: Digital (of a circuit or device that represents magnitudes in digits) & Know-It-All (a person who thinks/behaves as if they know everything, but usually knows less than you would think on a subject).
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COMMENTS:
LOL! I'm still laughing, ha ha! Thanks! - splendiction, 2009-10-07: 21:44:00
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Technifficult
Created by: mweinmann
Pronunciation: tek - nif - eh - kult
Sentence: Seymour found that the voice activated answer lines were very technificult. If he chose option 1, he was only left with three options, none of which fit his question. If he chose option 2, there were four options, unrelated to his question, and so on and so on until he gave up and hung up.
Etymology: technical, difficult
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COMMENTS:
Excellent! - splendiction, 2009-10-07: 21:40:00
We've all been there... - Nosila, 2009-10-07: 23:50:00
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Nonnovation
Created by: Koekbroer
Pronunciation: non-oh-vay-shin
Sentence: "Blast! This remote control is so complicated. It's a nonnovation."
Etymology: non; innovate
Techbotcholy
Created by: erasmus
Pronunciation: teck bot ch olly
Sentence: the techbotcholy at our office is so unusable you cant even type your name in without it changing to Korean keyboard layout.
Etymology: from technology and botch
Comments:
Verbotomy - 2007-03-20: 00:11:00
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus.
Thank you erasmus! ~ James
Verbotomy - 2009-10-07: 00:05:00
Today's definition was suggested by erasmus. Thank you erasmus. ~ James