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.
Reitirate
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: re-IT-eye-rayt
Sentence: While she was well intentioned Muriel would invariably overdo her prodding to get Stan to do things her way and in the end would almost always reitirate, harping on a topic until Stan would just blow his cork.
Etymology: Blend of reiterate and irate.
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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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)
Motivile
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: mo-ti-vile
Sentence: On their last date, Lea learned why "motivile" rhymes with "juvenile." When she mentioned his bad driving habits he acted like he was fifteen years old, shouting out loud and being contrary by driving like a maniac.
Etymology: motivate:to provide an incentive for behavior + vile: loathsome, disgusting, contemptible
Naggravate
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /NAG-ruh-veyt/
Sentence: 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")
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COMMENTS:
Good word!! - TJayzz, 2008-05-20: 11:28:00
good word. love Mona. - galwaywegian, 2008-05-20: 10:28:00
Was her name Mona Lott? Good Word - Nosila, 2008-05-20: 22:40:00
Yes, it was! Do you know her too? - Tigger, 2008-05-21: 00:30:00
Good word - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 01:20:00
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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)
Modifail
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: mod/i/fail
Sentence: As a teacher, I sometimes modifail when a student over reacts in a negative way to an attempted behaviour modifcation causing even further trouble in class.
Etymology: modify + fail
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
Schoolsound
Created by: josje
Pronunciation: scoolsound
Sentence: If you sound like an scool teacher you wil tease me with you schoolsound.
Etymology: scool
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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