Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n., A gallant gesture which does not produce the desired effect because of poor execution. v., To offer a small gesture of assistance, which backfires as you trip over your own kind intentions.
Verboticisms
Click on each verboticism to read the sentences created by the Verbotomy writers, and to see your voting options...
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Recomime
Created by: Kevcom
Pronunciation: rea-ko-meeme
Sentence: Danny shot a helpful recomime to the old lady waiting on the subway platform at Glencairn, Glencairn station, but was unfortunately left behind and delayed by the slowness of the old lady, and by the speed at which the doors open and close on the rocket.
Etymology: recoil + pantomime
Backsquire
Created by: mplsbohemian
Pronunciation: BAK-skwyre
Sentence: Alex, ever the backsquire, spread out his coat for his date to cross a puddle, only to put her in the way of the spray of a speeding car.
Etymology: backfire + squire (a gentleman)
Gallnerdant
Created by: looseball
Pronunciation:
Sentence: After that gallnerdant attempt,I dipped my head an ran.
Etymology:
Genteelgaffe
Created by: thebaron
Pronunciation:
Sentence: If it wasn't for his genteelgaffe, she might have spoken to him.
Etymology:
Benevoloser
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: bənevəloōzər
Sentence: Despite his illusions, Charley is a benevoloser. When Cindy broke up with her boyfriend he envisioned himself as her knight in shining armor. He had her over for a gourmet meal where he started by spilling wine on her and ended by tripping and knocking her off her chair. Instead of sweeping her off her feet and winning her heart, he knocked her to the floor and sat on her spleen.
Etymology: benevolent (well meaning and kindly) + loser (failure)
Ineptsuavitis
Created by: mryder
Pronunciation: in-ept / swah-ve / itis
Sentence: Billy would have loved to open the door for the pretty girl; however his ineptsuavitis set in and he ended up getting himself trapped in the door.
Etymology: inept-ORIGIN originally in the sense unsuitable: from Latin ineptus, from in- ‘not’ + aptus ‘fitted. Suave-ORIGIN Latin suavis ‘agreeable’ itis (suffix)— ORIGIN from Greek -ites
Mannerd
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: man-nerd
Sentence: Even though Sal was a brilliant rocket scientist, he was totally inept in social situations, especially when it came to his approach to women. In his dreams he was dashing, witty and chivalrous, but the reality was that he was well-mannerd because his attempts to be polite and helpful were so awkward.
Etymology: mannered (well) polite, courteous + nerd: socially inept
Polchumpite
Created by: remistram
Pronunciation: puhl-chuhmp-ahyt
Sentence: He wanted to offer his sobbing co-worker a tissue, and as he fumbled around to fetch one he mistakenly handed her his used up snot-ridden one thus adding himself to the roster of office polchumpites.
Etymology: polite + chump (as in oaf, klutz))
Kinddesirity
Created by: greenbree
Pronunciation: ka/in/de/sai/ri/ti
Sentence: yesterday my boyfriend do a kindesirity thing, opening the door of the car for me.
Etymology: kind+desire
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn! ~ James
After you. No after you. No after you. No after yooooooeeeeouwwww!
Kevcom - 2007-10-26: 07:38:00
Awesome cartoon James! That is so funny - I was almost dyin' of laughter of the expression on the guys face...
Thanks to Kevcom and Petaj for your hurteous thoughts and magnanimistakian clobbergestures ~ James
Lidipop - 2007-10-26: 10:19:00
I actually printed this one out...it's so good, well done!!!
We must not forget to thank ErWenn again for his generous courteslip. ~ James
purpleartichokes - 2007-10-26: 18:57:00
Yes, thank you ErWenn and James. Fabulous contributions from you two!
yellowbird - 2008-09-24: 11:49:00
Haven't we seen this definition before?
petaj - 2008-09-26: 04:19:00
Yep - looking forward to some new ones
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn. ~ James