Vote for the best verboticism.

'It's time to find your inner cockroach'

DEFINITION: n. A person who succeeds not because of their talents, but because they just won't quit. v. To firmly believe in your talents and never give up on your goals, despite the huge obstacles, snide comments, and repeated setbacks.

Create | Read

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.

Shambition

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: shambishən

Sentence: After years of being passed over for advancement, Harry's time finally came. He was promoted to Division Director. Unfortunately the budget cuts and ensuing layoffs left him as the lone worker. In a case of shambition Harry hadn’t even applied for the position when it was vacated by his former boss.

Etymology: sham (a thing that is not what it is purported to be) + ambition (a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work)

| Comments and Points

Determinashionist

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: dee ter min ay shun ist

Sentence: Many of the contenders on the reality talent shows are not so much talented as determinationist in their thirst for fame and glory. Yes, their resolve, giving up work and school for their 5 minutes of fame on the tube, proves they each are a determinashionist...that and the fact that all their friends call in 100 votes each from their handful of cellphones is what wins these contests!

Etymology: Determination (the quality of being determined to do or achieve something;an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions) & ist (suffix for a person who follows a belief or ideal)

| Comments and Points

Determaniacal

Created by: Mustang

Pronunciation: deh-ter-muhn-I-uh-kyl

Sentence: Melody was absolutely determaniacal in pursuit of her singing career, ignoring criticism and negative critiques of her somewhat limited skills and in time managed to secure a job as a backup singer for a budding young artist in the pop music field.

Etymology: blend of determined and maniacal

| Comments and Points

Hambition

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: ham bish shun

Sentence: Liza was determined to be a great actress. She starred in school productions through high school and somehow made it into acting school. Her hambition was to get into a long-running soap, but she was rejected because her acting skills were too over the top. She finally got a bit part in a movie, "Joe's Apartment", but only because she was the only actor who allowed them to put a cockroach on her nose...

Etymology: Ham (unskilled actor who overacts) & Ambition (strong drive for success)

| Comments and Points

Hangstay

Created by: rebelvin

Pronunciation: hang+stay

Sentence: She won't quit, she is such a hangstay.

Etymology: hang+stay

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

nice simple combination. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-02: 05:28:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Persevictor

Created by: stache

Pronunciation: pûr'sə-vĭk'tər

Sentence: Although Harriet looked to be the sure winner in the early stages of the marathon, Tortence, the plodder, would not give up and became the persevictor.

Etymology: persevere, to persist in anything undertaken [Middle English perseveren, from Old French perseverer, from Latin persevērāre, from persevērus, very serious]; victor, One who defeats an adversary; the winner in a fight, battle, contest, or struggle[Middle English, from Old French victeur, from Latin victor, from victus, past participle of vincere, to conquer].

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

Nice word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-02: 05:31:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Obsesstinate

Created by: Stevenson0

Pronunciation: ob/sess/stuh/nit

Sentence: Karen's obsesstinate personality drove her supervisors and managers crazy and so she was promoted quickly up the company infrastructure to get rid of her, not because of her business sense, or corporate abilities.

Etymology: some one who is totally obsessed with being obstinate - obsess (uhb-ses) - to think about something unceasingly, or persistently + obstinate (ob-stuh-nit) - inflexible persistence, or an unyielding attitude

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

Excellent word! - Mustang, 2009-06-11: 20:50:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Purseverance

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: poor sev eer ans

Sentence: When jockey/owner Cher Bett entered her horse, Mane Chance, in the biggest cup competition of the racing season, she had to overcome a lot of obstacles. Being a woman owner/jockey was a major issue in the male dominated sport. Getting backers, paying trainers, vets and stable staff were major financial considerations for the not-rich Cher. But after all her purseverance, she not only ran in the race, but won it at 20-to-1 odds. She won so much, she can afford to hire jockeys now and has become a legend in race circles!

Etymology: Purse (a sum of money offered as a prize) & Perseverance (persistance; tenacity)

| Comments and Points

Grinderminder

Created by: pieceof314

Pronunciation: grīnd-er-mīnd-er

Sentence: Kendra's stick-to-it-ness gave her the reputation of being the workplace grinderminder. No matter what the boss threw at her, she always plodded her way through each task, often learning the ropes as she went along. Sometimes she was able to do it with no problems, other times she had to start over and ask for help. Either way, everyone knew she wouldn't quit.

Etymology: grind, from grindstone + minder, a person who is paying attention to something

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

that's stupid. :D - daniellegeorge, 2008-05-01: 09:39:00

What? Why would you say that? - pieceof314, 2008-05-01: 13:54:00

Good word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-02: 05:27:00

Thanks, Ozziebob! - pieceof314, 2008-05-02: 14:50:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Quixothick

Created by: galwaywegian

Pronunciation: kwik soh th ik

Sentence: His quixothick opposition to wind energy despite widespread support and government support led many of his peers to think him a bit of a donquix.

Etymology: Quixotic, thick

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

how gallant - Jabberwocky, 2008-05-01: 11:52:00

Cheeky Monquix...cute word - Nosila, 2008-05-01: 21:24:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Show All or More...

 

Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2008-05-01: 00:01:00
Today's definition is inspired by Johnny Bunko's Career Lesson # 4: "Persistence trumps talent". See: "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" by Dan Pink. Thanks Dan! ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2009-06-11: 00:01:00
Today's definition is inspired by Johnny Bunko's Career Lesson # 4: "Persistence trumps talent". See: "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" by Dan Pink. Thanks Dan! ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2010-07-05: 00:05:00
Today's definition was suggested by johnnybunko. Thank you johnnybunko. ~ James