Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. The feeling of anxiety created by the realization that you've arrived at a social event "wearing the wrong thing". v. To arrive at a social function and suddenly realize that you are you are completely over-dressed or worse -- under-dressed!
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.
Speedono
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: spēdō nō
Sentence: Murray hated the English language, at least as far as his new bosses use of it on the recent party invitation was concerned. When he read pool party he saw himself really impressing the secretarial pool with his tight 6-pack and stories of his college swim team accomplishments. Instead he had an unfortunate speedono moment. He saw a pool as he drove up to the house so as soon as he got inside he found a bathroom and jetisoned the shorts and t-shirt. As he strode into the room with the pool table he understood that the picture on the invitation was intended to be an 8 ball not a beach ball. Turns out the pool belonged to the neighbor. It was bad enough that he was so badly underdressed, but his buddy Paul kept shouting about "racking up those balls". All he could do was laugh and try to regain a modicum of dignity along with his clothing. As he waited to get back into the now occupied bathroom, he could only think, "What's wrong with the word billiards?"
Etymology: Speedo (Swimsuit brand known for their brevity) Oh No (an expression of error)
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COMMENTS:
The majority of people wearing Speedos cause speedono in others! - dochanne, 2008-12-08: 04:10:00
The thought of someone playing pool (billiards) in a Speedo makes my blood run cold. Just me? - wayoffcenter, 2008-12-08: 04:54:00
You were really on the ball with this one. - silveryaspen, 2008-12-08: 12:43:00
As if on cue...another great story! - Nosila, 2008-12-08: 23:27:00
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Underduress
Created by: swallowedbyafish
Pronunciation: un-der-der-ess
Sentence: The death stares of the audience made him feel like he was in the middle of being interrogated by Jack Bauer. He realized he had underduressed.
Etymology: underdress + under duress
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COMMENTS:
This will stand up in any court of justice! Your sentence and word are lawesomely clever! - silveryaspen, 2008-02-25: 13:38:00
Your verboticism was one of the few that captures the 'feeling of anxiety' in the definition. I thought it excellent in every way! - silveryaspen, 2008-02-25: 21:25:00
I like it - bookowl, 2008-02-26: 13:30:00
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Afearance
Created by: FuzzBuzz
Pronunciation:
Sentence: He was overwhelmed by afearance when he realized he had just shown up to a business meeting in an elmo-patterned speedo.
Etymology: fear + appearance
Clothesbasketcase
Created by: silveryaspen
Pronunciation: close - bas - ket - case
Sentence: Tom, master in dressing, wore a feather in his cap. Tom went skinny dipping. Undressed down to his bare bones, he felt a bit disarmed. Tom wanted to spice things up with his finely-feathered girlfrhend, so he tried dressing sagely. Alas! Tom was not sage enough, to avoid a turkey trot down the aisle. In tux and tails, he felt a bit awfowl. He was a tad wedding disdressed. No matter! Whatever he wore, he'd feel like a clothes basket case.
Etymology: Clothes - dress/attire. Basket Case: anyone suffering severe nervous strain
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COMMENTS:
Fowl play indeed, silveryaspen! He'll be hen-pecked for sure for plucking this girl...with a drumstick. Poultry in motion. - Nosila, 2008-02-25: 00:57:00
Wow, with that feather in his cap - makes me think of Yankee Doodle! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-02-25: 19:19:00
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Fiasclothes
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: fee/as/klohz
Sentence: It was embarrassing and a total fiasclothes when I showed up to my boss' daughter's Baptism in shorts, T-shirt, bathing suit, towel and a case of beer. I didn't quite read the invitation past the address 2206 Sunnyside Beach. Unfortunately, it was Sunnyside Beach United Church.
Etymology: fiasco + clothes
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COMMENTS:
perfect fit! - galwaywegian, 2008-02-25: 07:35:00
excellent! - ErWenn, 2008-02-25: 10:11:00
I love it! - libertybelle, 2008-02-25: 10:58:00
Pairfection! - silveryaspen, 2008-02-25: 13:21:00
Nice word! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-02-25: 19:12:00
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Miskit
Created by: Banky
Pronunciation: miss-kit
Sentence: Buttons looked around the conference room at the 234 perfectly identical faces and bodies, dressed all in charcoal grey suits. In eerie unison they all turned to look at him with cold dead eyes. Feeling quite miskit, he adjusted his rainbow wig, performed an awkward three-point-turn in his size 37 red patent leather shoes, and exited through the door he'd entered. He realized his mistake when he re-read the sign posted by the door, which in bold block letters announced, "Welcome clones!"
Etymology: misfit + kit (British slang for clothes)
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COMMENTS:
I like this one. - ErWenn, 2008-02-25: 10:11:00
clever - Jabberwocky, 2008-02-25: 13:31:00
Erupted in laughter picturing your clone-some miskit! Kit-catchy Creation! - silveryaspen, 2008-02-25: 13:44:00
Short & sweet! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-02-25: 19:21:00
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Fauxparel
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: fo par el
Sentence: Mitch, the Aussie hunk in the office, showed up at Brenda's house wearing nothing but a skimpy speedo, high heels and Drag Queen make-up and jewels. Brenda in her best dress suit was shocked. With her boss and co-workers present and aghast, Mitch had a feeling of fauxparel...or in his case, fauxperil. To answer her dismayed expression, he said, "You did say it was a Gayla tonight, right?" To which she replied, "I said, GALA, not Gayla and how is it you just happened to have all this campy gear"? "Now I feel like a right flaming Galah!" cried Mitch.
Etymology: Faux Pas (French, literally false step...a socially awkward or tactless act) & Apparel (clothing in general;provide with clothes or put clothes on) P.S. Galah (Australian term for a Rose Breasted Cockatoo. "Galah" is also derogatory Australian slang, synonymous with 'fool' or 'idiot'. Because of the bird's distinctive bright pink, it is also used for gaudy dress.
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COMMENTS:
Hilarious! Terrific blend, Nosila! - splendiction, 2010-05-06: 21:35:00
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Dumbarassment
Created by: Biscotti
Pronunciation: dum-bare-es-ment
Sentence: Jane felt a strange sense of dumbarassment when she showed up to the Fright Night Halloween Party dressed up like the Easter Bunny.
Etymology: dumb + embarassment
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COMMENTS:
Dumbfoundingly clever! - silveryaspen, 2008-02-25: 13:24:00
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Blunderwear
Created by: dochanne
Pronunciation: Blunder-wair
Sentence: Jamie was nervous about the party, having been unable to conduct any dresspionage, and opted for the cautious option of black. As she entered the room, she saw a sea of bright colours, frills and big hair. Bright sparkling sequins flashed as Brad approached, feathers in his hair. Oh, dear, she thought, having just now remembered what the party was for. Her hembarassment was not finished yet though, as the ankle-length number was downright prudish and her dear friend put his shining arm around her and announced to the room "And here's my darling Jamie - the queen of Blunderwear!". The room exploded with laughter and Jamie sank into an abyss of frockxiety and gloom.
Etymology: Blunder - to err or make an obvious mistake; Wear - what you are wearing when you blunder into undresspionaged situations.
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COMMENTS:
Great create. So straight forward, you immediately know what it means. - silveryaspen, 2008-12-08: 12:47:00
Seams like a great word and threads its way through your yarn like a fancy notion ... that Brad is such a Baste-ard! - Nosila, 2008-12-08: 23:14:00
That Brad, what a fair feather friend he turned out to be....great word!! - mweinmann, 2008-12-09: 10:37:00
Terrific. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-12-13: 16:10:00
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Fashunclutz
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: FASCH-un-clutz
Sentence: Having no idea what the notation 'black tie' meant on the invitation, when Delbert realized everyone else was in formal attire and he in his bermudas and sandals he realized he was being completely avoided and knew he was the fashunclutz of the year.
Etymology: Blend of fashion, shun, and clutz
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COMMENTS:
Great word. Excellent etymology. Always admire triple word plays. - silveryaspen, 2008-12-08: 12:50:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram. ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram. ~ James