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...
You have two votes. Click on the words to read the details, then vote your favorite.
Magnanimistake
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: magnanimous-take
Sentence: Sir Galahazard sprawled clumsily under the portcullis after tripping over his sword in his hurry to bow as low as he could. His reputation for magnanimistakes travelled before him so there was a first aid officer on hand to receive him.
Etymology: magnanimous, revealing generosity or nobility + mistake, an error or fault (Galahad, known for his chivalry + galah, a term of endearment in Australia for a fool named after a type of parrot + hazard, a danger)
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COMMENTS:
A knight in shining harmour - Jabberwocky, 2007-10-26: 12:08:00
The only health insurance available was through MEDI-e-val. Which was unfortunate because Galahazard was there to crown the king. But if there was any danger to the king there were plenty of guards armed with mace to subdue his overexcitable gallantry. Guinefear had become very cautious around him. - petaj, 2007-10-27: 02:09:00
The noble knight seems a little odd but very obliging. Nice word! - OZZIEBOB, 2007-10-28: 02:42:00
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Adversassisty
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: ad/vurs/assist/ee
Sentence: My well meaning offer of assistance quickly turned into an adversassisty as I slipped on the ice trying to help an elderly lady across the street. She fractured her hip and I bruised my ego.
Etymology: assist + Adverse (harmful, injurious) + adversity (mishap, misfortune)
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COMMENTS:
Ha Ha! I'd bruise my ego and shatter my own hip as well. - zxvasdf, 2008-09-24: 19:25:00
I like it:flows nicely. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-09-25: 18:19:00
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Chivalwrong
Created by: blacklotus90
Pronunciation: \ˈshi-vəl-ˈrȯŋg\
Sentence: Due to Barry' s clumsy nature, his gesture of good faith became a chivalwrong in no time.
Etymology: CHIVALRY + WRONG
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COMMENTS:
The word is chivalright! - Nosila, 2008-09-24: 01:53:00
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Etitwit
Created by: lumina
Pronunciation: ed/i/twit
Sentence: Poor Eugene was always trying to gain points with the ladies. Unfortunately his attempts at opening doors, putting down his coat over puddles and the like, would always backfire. Instead of being known as the "knight in shining armor" of the apartment building, he was known as etitwit of the lobby.
Etymology: Etiquite: Rules of behavior, propriety, decorum, manners. Twit: A foolish or annoying person.
Chivalgaffe
Created by: xirtam
Pronunciation: shiv-uh l-gaf
Sentence: Robert commited a chivalgaffe when he closed the car door on his dates leg.
Etymology: ME: chivalrie + F: gaffe
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COMMENTS:
Also chivalwrong - milorush, 2007-10-26: 09:24:00
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Assuccour
Created by: zxvasdf
Pronunciation: assuc cour
Sentence: Fred saw his crush and in his dash to be chivalrous he committed a dastardly assuccour. Fred finds himself in the middle of an assuccouring just about everyday; an assuccouring Fred is in his element. Fred doesn't feel right about his day if he hasn't had assuccoured at least once. Assuccourism is sweeping the country as closet geeks finally venture from monitor light to seek adventure and love.
Etymology: Ass (a fool) & succour (to assist)
Fauxcilitation
Created by: milorush
Pronunciation: (n.) fō-sĭl'ĭ-tā'shən; (tr. v.) fō-sĭl'ĭ-tāt'
Sentence: Henri's poor reflexes and terrible eyesight usually turn his eager attempts to help his friends into nightmarish and dangerous moments of fauxcilitation which usually finish up at the local emergency room.
Etymology: Faux = from faux pas = blunder + [fac]ilitation = The act of making easy or easier.
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COMMENTS:
A shade of meaning might include a subconscious lack of desire to actually help out, which might lead to a purposeful poor or "fake" ("faux") effort to assist. - milorush, 2007-10-26: 07:04:00
A shade of meaning might include a subconscious lack of desire to actually help out, which might lead to a purposefully poor or "fake" ("faux") effort to assist. - milorush, 2007-10-26: 07:05:00
Interesting and good blend! - OZZIEBOB, 2007-10-28: 02:28:00
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Floormeetface
Created by: vasunlover
Pronunciation:
Sentence: I went to open the door for him, and by golly, oops, floormeetface.
Etymology:
Shrivalry
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: sh riv al ree
Sentence: His attempt at chivalry quickly turned into shrivalry as the revolving crushed his pride and other more sentitive bits
Etymology: chivalry, shrivel
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COMMENTS:
ouch! - very funny - Jabberwocky, 2008-09-24: 13:15:00
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Failgesture
Created by: Kevicky50
Pronunciation:
Sentence: Harold tried to get close to Jessica by carrying her bags, but the failgesture only ended in breakage.
Etymology:
Comments:
Verbotomy - 2007-10-26: 00:30:00
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn! ~ James
petaj - 2007-10-26: 04:21:00
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...
Verbotomy - 2007-10-26: 10:05:00
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!!!
Verbotomy - 2007-10-26: 17:46:00
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
Verbotomy - 2010-02-23: 00:10:00
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn. ~ James