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.
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.
Chivowry
Created by: libertybelle
Pronunciation: shiv-ow-ree
Sentence: The act of Danny helping Kim out of the car and throwing his back out in the process proved to be another fine example of chivowry
Etymology: chivalry + owwww
Oopsamaritan
Created by: hooterbug
Pronunciation: oops/sə mer′ə tən
Sentence: I had a hard time looking concerned when the spinning door trapped the head of the Oopsamaritan that had so gallantly held the door for me.
Etymology: Oops! + Samaritan (A compassionate person who unselfishly helps others)
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COMMENTS:
funny - Jabberwocky, 2008-09-24: 13:18:00
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Beaujest
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: bo/jest
Sentence: My beau geste quickly turned into a beaujest 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: beau geste (gracious gesture) + jest
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COMMENTS:
Clever! - OZZIEBOB, 2007-10-28: 02:28:00
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Whipgesture
Created by: runner
Pronunciation: wip jest your
Sentence: Ted suffered a painful whipgesture while trying to hold the door open for Lisa.
Etymology: whip: move briskly, gesture: an act toward another person
Urbean
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: ur/bean
Sentence: John's attempt to be urbane, chivalrous, courteous, polite and just plain well-mannered became urbean when his head got jammed in the doorway helping a damsel in distress.
Etymology: URBEAN - noun - from URBANE (polite, refined and often elegant in manner) + MR. BEAN
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COMMENTS:
Very clever - OZZIEBOB, 2008-09-25: 18:22:00
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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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Doomerang
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: doōmərang
Sentence: Wendel tried once again to do the gracious thing. As he attempted to help an older woman carry a heavy bag of groceries to her car only to trip and scatter the contents across the pavement. He would have stayed and helped her clean up the mess but she seemed much more intent on beating him with her cane than retrieving her broken eggs. Once again he found himself to be an expert at creating doomerangs, those deeds that always find a way to come back and boot you in the seat.
Etymology: doom (death, destruction, or some other terrible fate) + boomerang (a curved flat piece of wood that can be thrown so as to return to the thrower)
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COMMENTS:
great sentence - bookowl, 2008-09-24: 13:44:00
Nice word - OZZIEBOB, 2008-09-25: 18:21:00
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Gomeresqe
Created by: svnfsvn
Pronunciation: based on gomer/homer
Sentence: I appeared gomeresge when my pants ripped during changing tire on freeway.
Etymology:
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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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