Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n., An expressive gesture made with the belief that the person it is directed at cannot see it, typically occurs during telephone conversations, email discourses, and behind people's backs. v. To use an unseen gesture to express what you cannot say.
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.
Invisubordination
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: in viz sub ord in ay shun
Sentence: When the boss was on the road, which luckily was often, he called a phone meeting every morning to keep tabs on the slaves he'd left behind. They made the right noises back at him, but while he was giving them orders and bragging about his ideas, they would commit acts of invisubordination. Between crude gestures, funny faces, stifled laughter and eye-rolling they acted out their true feelings for him. Imagine their surprise when they came in on a Monday morning to find out he had installed televisual equipment and they would have to act as though he was really in the room. What a killjoy!
Etymology: Invisible (unseen;impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye) & Insubordination (defiance of authority)
Invisisult
Created by: LordRahlsFav
Pronunciation: in-Viz-i-sult
Sentence: When Jill suddenly turned around, she almost saw me flipping her off. I'm glad she didn't catch me invisisulting her. She would be angry if she had seen my invisisult.
Etymology: invisi- as in invisible meaning unseen -sult, as in insult, meaning something unpleasant directed at someone or something.
Bactions
Created by: Biscotti
Pronunciation: back shuns
Sentence: The team didn't realize their video conference with the company's CEO was two-way, and proceeded to perform many bactions towards him. He pretended to not see them and the next day all their desks had been moved to janitors closets.
Etymology: back (behind you) + actions (movements or gestures)
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COMMENTS:
good one... - Nosila, 2011-08-30: 08:33:00
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Shomotion
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: sho mo shun
Sentence: When their boss called on a conference call from Honolulu with one of his hare-brained ideas, the office staff did their shomotion repertoire to indicate their disapproval. It worked fine until the boss installed Skype...
Etymology: Show (a public exhibition;expression)& Motion (gesture;non-verbal communcation)
Gesticule
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: jes-TICK-yewl
Sentence: Being a timid individual, Roger had no heart for face to face confrontations but when his boss, a man he thoroughly loathed, would call him on the phone or on the intercom, he would gesticule his boss, making a variety of odd facial expressions and obscene hand gestures.
Etymology: A blend of 'gestulate' (to make or use gestures, especially in an animated or excited manner with or instead of speech.) and 'ridicule' (speech or action intended to cause contemptuous laughter at a person or thing; derision)
Gesticuhate
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: je/stik/yu/hate
Sentence: To show their negative feelings about the idea, he would gesticuhate his displeasure with gesticuhative movements.
Etymology: gesticulate (to express by gesturing) + hate
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COMMENTS:
Nice blend. - Tigger, 2008-01-28: 12:01:00
Strong word! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 13:08:00
excellent - Jabberwocky, 2008-01-28: 15:34:00
I like it, but I hope that he isn't a hate male! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:47:00
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Guessticluate
Created by: libertybelle
Pronunciation: guess-tick-you-late
Sentence: Thinking that his extended middle finger could not be seen, Glenn told Barry in not so many words that he thought Barry was "number 1"; too bad Barry saw the guessticulation reflected in the window.
Etymology: guess + gesticulate
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COMMENTS:
Your pronounciation is as clever as your etymology ... nice word plays ... as always! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 12:44:00
Another good word! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:50:00
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Asnide
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /uh-sniyd'/
Sentence: For once, during the staff meeting, Mr. Leeds was calling in from a remote office, and the staff, normally daunted by his blustery manner, each expressed their true feelings in an asnide directed at the speakerphone, while maintaining their usual, timid responses.
Etymology: aside - actor's lines not heard by others on the stage (Old English, a- + sīd "to one side") + snide - derogatory in a nasty, insinuating manner (Origin unknown, from thieves' slang for "counterfeit or sham")
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COMMENTS:
Funny! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 11:43:00
I like it! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:54:00
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Hexpression
Created by: Banky
Pronunciation: hecks-press-shun
Sentence: While the caller would blather on about savings on international calls of up to 1.3% over other hucksters, Dana would focus on contorting her face into her telemarketer hexpression, which she was convinced would visit bowel cancer upon these rude troglodytes.
Etymology: hex - a curse or malicious spell, expression - a visual depiction of mood or sentiment
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COMMENTS:
very funny - I'll have to try that some time - Jabberwocky, 2008-01-28: 10:54:00
Great idea! Terrific word! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 11:40:00
Haha. Your sentence was LOL-funny! - Tigger, 2008-01-28: 12:09:00
Great word and sentence! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:48:00
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Pantosign
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: pan to sine
Sentence: Harvey's banal suggestions were always met with the usual pantosigns by his supportive employees.
Etymology: pantomime (using gestures, not words) & sign (gesture, motion)
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COMMENTS:
Excellent! - silveryaspen, 2008-02-06: 17:57:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn. ~ James
Maxine - 2008-01-28: 08:57:00
This is a really great cartoon!
Thanks Maxine! ~ James
I love the guy making a grab at himself - made me laugh out loud.
silveryaspen - 2008-01-28: 13:16:00
Fun definition, Erwenn. Your cartoon was uproariously funny, James. All the creations were a hoot,great job verbotomists!
ErWenn's definitions always always seem to generate a good laugh. See: Let me hold the door for you... Thanks! ~ James
silveryaspen - 2008-11-20: 08:25:00
Missed you all. Nice to be back.
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn. ~ James