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.

Talentenacious

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: talətənāshəs

Sentence: It’s not that Jim is the best or brightest in his field. His skill is being tanentenacious. The fact that he can’t carry a tune with a flat-bed truck doesn\'t stop him from becoming a country/western singing sensation. His rugged good looks, back-up singers and technology by the truckload has gotten him far. There was that little setback last week when somebody called ASPCA to report an animal being tortured when Jim was singing in the shower, but he’ll get past that.

Etymology: talent (natural aptitude or skill) + tenacious (not readily letting go of, giving up, or separated from an object that one holds, a position, or a principle)

| Comments and Points

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

Persistalents

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: pərsistalənts

Sentence: Some people have a talent for singing, some can play a musical instrument. Joyce has none of these. What she does have is persistalents. Once she sets her mind to do something, it would take an act of Congress to change her course. Nobody is surprised that her pet-of-choice is a pit bull.

Etymology: persistence (firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition) + talents (natural aptitude or skills) sounds a bit like pestilence.

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

nice - Jabberwocky, 2009-06-11: 15:47:00

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

| 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

Determinedator

Created by: Tigger

Pronunciation: /di-tur-mind-ney-ter/

Sentence: As a new employee at Cyberdyne Inc., Sarah was one of those rare people who was undeterred by setbacks, or her lack of experience, and always maintained a positive outlook. Like a true determinedator, she never gave up. She was confident that someday one of the executive's desks would have her name on it, "Ms. S. Connors". Things were about to change for her — she could feel it.

Etymology: Determined - resolute; staunch; strongly motivated to succeed (from Latin, détermināre "without limits") + Terminator - a nearly indestructible robot, which will stop at nothing in order to accomplish it's mission (from the Terminator movies)

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

when I first saw your word I read it as determined dater and thought you would take that route - the terminator connection is good as well - Jabberwocky, 2008-05-01: 14:36:00

Hasta La Vista, Baby...good word - Nosila, 2008-05-01: 21:21:00

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

| Comments and Points

Nosensequitter

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: no/sens/kwit/tur

Sentence: Sally's philosophy was to aspire to be a nosensequitter who would never give up even if it was an unwarranted conclusion.

Etymology: no sense + quit + non sequitur (illogical conclusion)

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

brilliant! - galwaywegian, 2008-05-01: 06:58:00

Great word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-02: 05:28:00

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

| 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

Nosensequitter

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: no/sens/kwit/tur

Sentence: Sally's philosophy was to aspire to be a nosensequitter who would never give up even if it was an unwarranted conclusion.

Etymology: no sense + quit + non sequitur (illogical conclusion)

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

Cute word...to fatten the Latin! - Nosila, 2009-06-11: 11:00:00

great! - mweinmann, 2009-06-12: 07:47:00

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

| Comments and Points

Determinut

Created by: Mustang

Pronunciation: dee - TER - muh - nut

Sentence: Ignoring the chiding and other insults about her pursuit of a singing career Marjorie had become absolute determinut and was not about to let anything keep her from reaching her goals.

Etymology: blend of determined and nut

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

nice - Jabberwocky, 2008-05-01: 11:46:00

good word! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-02: 05:38:00

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

| Comments and Points

Hacklentless

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: hak-lent-lis

Sentence: Sally is now in charge of the department, not because of any outstanding talent or even a clear understanding of what the job entails. Anybody with an ounce of skill or ambition has moved on to bigger and better things long ago. Her plodding, hacklentless approach to her work and mediocre results keeps her so far under the radar of scrutiny that she has no enemies. In fact, most people don't even know who she is after 20 years with the company. Sometimes people walk into her because they just don't notice she is there.

Etymology: Hack (a person, as an artist or writer, who exploits, for money, his or her creative ability or training in the production of dull, unimaginative, and trite work) + relentless (unyieldingly severe, strict, or harsh)

| 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