Vote for the best verboticism.

'Let me hold the door for you...'

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.

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Verboticisms

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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.

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Courteslip

Created by: ErWenn

Pronunciation: /ˈkɚdəˌslɪp/

Sentence: I submitted a "kindler, gentler" definition, but the niceness of my courteslip was ditched in favor of humor.

Etymology: from courtesy + slip

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COMMENTS:

Nice - Justpeachyy, 2007-10-30: 22:53:00

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Clobbergest

Created by: Lidipop

Pronunciation: Klob-er-jess-t

Sentence: when i realized the good intention had gone badly, her "clobbergest" was just the begining of a series of unintentional punishments!!! :)

Etymology: Clobbering(to defeat overwhelmingly)+ gest/gesture(something said or done by way of formality or courtesy)= clobbergest

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COMMENTS:

petaj I was thinking also that a guest was being clobbered. - petaj, 2007-10-27: 02:02:00

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Gallantrip

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: gal-uh n-trip

Sentence: Warren sees himself as a knight in shining amour. More often than not he gallantrips if he acts on these loving feelings.

Etymology: gallantry (dashing courage; heroic bravery; noble-minded behavior) + trip (to make a slip, error, or mistake)

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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.

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Galahadaglitch

Created by: Mustang

Pronunciation: gal-ah-had-uh-glich

Sentence: It always seems that the harder Freeman tries to be a charming knight in shining armor the more often he experiences a new galahadaglitch, where his best efforts backfire and leave him looking like the dork that he actually is.

Etymology: Blend of galahad, had, and glitch.

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COMMENTS:

nice word - Jabberwocky, 2008-09-24: 13:16:00

Very good. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-09-25: 18:18:00

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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:

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Benefracture

Created by: OZZIEBOB

Pronunciation: ben-uh-FRAK-cher

Sentence: Roxie was a tender-hearted tryplease, who sincerely shambled her way through life. And though her intentions remained pure and noble, her saintretemps and benefractures were often plain scary. In the end, to kin and kith alike, she became a must-to-avoid.

Etymology: Benefracture: blend of benefactor & fracture - " when good intentions comes apart or unstuck." Saintretemps: blend of saint & contretemps-"hitch"

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COMMENTS:

Sweet word OZZIEBOB! You long time-verbotomists are really creative with your words. For me, its hard to stay away from the thesaurus! - Kevcom, 2007-10-28: 00:23:00

I did this one time -- A female coworker dropped a paper by the printer and, trying to be gentlemanly, I quickly bent down to grab it (as she was also) and 'benefractured' her glasses. :/ - Tigger, 2007-11-06: 17:41:00

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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:

zxvasdf 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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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

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-10-26: 00:30:00
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn! ~ James

petaj 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 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 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 Verbotomy - 2010-02-23: 00:10:00
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn. ~ James