Vote for the best verboticism.
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
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.
Fortidefy
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)
Negatentional
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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Contradick
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)
Scaradigm
Created by: mweinmann
Pronunciation: skair - a - dime
Sentence: There was a scaradigm shift in Tony's behavior after Lisa tried to soothe him during the drive through the Catskills. The road was narrow and slippery and an antelope strolled out and started to play around in the headlights.
Etymology: scare (A general state of alarm), paradigm (A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality)
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
Habetual
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: ha bet ual
Sentence: Joanie nagged at Chachi when he drove, which drove him insane. She failed to under stand that her habetual commentary on his poor driving habits made him a worse driver. It would have probably worked better if she had actually had a driving license of her own before passing such critiques on his driving skills...
Etymology: Habitual (commonly used or practiced; usual) & Abet (assist or encourage, usually in wrongdoing)
Sincourage
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: sin koor aj
Sentence: When Stan got behind the wheel, he took driving very personally and reacted badly to all bad situations. His wife, Rosa, would inadvertantly sincourage his actions by stoking his fuels of outrage.
Etymology: Sin (commit a fault) & Encourage (promote;support)
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)
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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Dissuascalation
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: dis-sway-sca-lay-shun
Sentence: 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)
Comments:
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
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
Today's definition was suggested by amysutherland. Thank you amysutherland. ~ James
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