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.
Chivalwreck
Created by: QuantumMechanic
Pronunciation: shi val rek
Sentence: I tried to help the old lady across the street, but I was a complete chivalwreck when I got my foot run over, and she dropped her groceries.
Etymology: Chivalry + Wreck
Jestugh
Created by: TJayzz
Pronunciation: Jess-t-ure
Sentence: Harry had fancied Suzie for ages, so when he saw that she was having troube starting her car he swiftly offered to help. He began push the car and soon got it going , unfortunately he pushed so hard that he fell over and landed headfirst in a muddy puddle. As he stood up all he could here was Suzie's hysterical laughter, it was a good thing that his face was covered in mud so that she could not see his embarrassment.
Etymology: Jest(Joke)+ Ugh(an exclamation of horror) = Jestugh (play on gesture)
Harmoanious
Created by: porsche
Pronunciation: harm/o/nee/us
Sentence:
Etymology: harmonious + harm + maon
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)
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
great sentence - bookowl, 2008-09-24: 13:44:00
Nice word - OZZIEBOB, 2008-09-25: 18:21:00
----------------------------
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
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Very clever - OZZIEBOB, 2008-09-25: 18:22:00
----------------------------
Chivalrust
Created by: Kyoti
Pronunciation: Shiv-all-ruhst
Sentence: Barry's attempt to impress Deanna by juggling chocolate Valentine's hearts not only failed to ignite her interest, but underscored how deeply he suffered from chronic chivalrust.
Etymology: Chivalrous: gallant gesturing + rust: worn from misuse or lack of use.
Shrivelry
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: shriv el ree
Sentence: When he got caught twice in the revolving door after allowing his date to go through first, Lance A. Lott experienced the agony of shrivelry. Once a knight is enough.
Etymology: Shrivel (to wither;decrease in size,range or extent) & Chivalry (gallantry,courtesy,medieval principles of knighthood)
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:
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)
----------------------------
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
----------------------------
Magnanamoops
Created by: libwen
Pronunciation: mag 'nan a moopz
Sentence: If it weren't for his spectacular magnanamoops while trying to refill Jill's wine glass, Greg would certainly be on a second date right now.
Etymology: magnanamous + oops
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