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)
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)
Hidicruel
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: hidikroōəl
Sentence: Jerry ”accidently” disabled the video aspect of the weekly conference call with the home office so that he could hidicruel whatever new directive was to be delivered. As he openly mocked his bosses, his co-workers were hard pressed to contain their laughter.
Etymology: hidden (kept out of sight; concealed) + ridicule (the subjection of someone or something to mockery and derision) + cruel (causing pain or suffering)
Sneerleader
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: snērlēdər
Sentence: As Debbie was climbing a ladder wearing the company uniform including an apron emblazoned with a large company logo, one more customer asked "that" question. "Do you work here"? That's when she snapped. She held it together long enough to direct them to their desired item but as they headed to the register, from atop her ladder she turned into a sneerleader. It was all the clerk at the register could do to keep a straight face as Debbie mocked from her elevated perch.
Etymology: sneer (a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone) + leader (the person who leads or commands) derivitive of cheerleader (a person who leads cheers and applause, esp. at a sports event)
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COMMENTS:
I wondered why the checkout clerk was in such a good mood... - wayoffcenter, 2008-11-19: 06:21:00
Rah RAh ! - Nosila, 2008-11-19: 23:14:00
Excellent - OZZIEBOB, 2008-11-20: 00:34:00
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Ghasture
Created by: Ghyarlae
Pronunciation: gas-ture
Sentence: In almost every comedy movie there is a scene when someone is telling a disastrous thing to the other person and the third one present makes a "NO!" ghasture behind their head.
Etymology: ghastly(can bring doom) + gesture(a sign that you make with hand/body)
Mockference
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: mäkfərəns
Sentence: Halfway through the weekly mockference call the company IT guy stopped to see if the newly-repaired webcam was working correctly. Julie, the head jeerleader, suddenly had sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She was greatly relieved when Mr. FattyMcButterPants (McFarland) told them that he didn*t know about the repair and had not turned on his monitor.
Etymology: mock (tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner) + conference (a formal meeting for discussion)
Gestrionics
Created by: loxhobabl
Pronunciation: jess-tree-ah-nix
Sentence: I wish I could see your gestrionics now because the truth hurts.
Etymology: gesture + histrionics
Momock
Created by: logarithm
Pronunciation: mo-mok
Sentence:
Etymology: Mimic - imitate (a person, a manner, etc.), especially for satirical effect. Mock - the act of mocking or ridiculing.
Astricks
Created by: scrabbelicious
Pronunciation: As-trix
Sentence: Sha*n was full of astricks anytime anyone said anything remotely off-the-wall. Always with an astrick up his sleeve, down his pants, in his ear, he was always astricking. Every afternoon he'd meet you with a torrent of Tourettes-like twiches, such a *!£$%^, you know what i mean?
Etymology: Derived from astrix, the symbol * used to denote a wild card, also indicating (here erroneously) intelligent lifeform. Combined with Tricks, as in, methods of deception or tomfoolery.
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COMMENTS:
Wild! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 17:04:00
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Hideandspeak
Created by: bananabender
Pronunciation: HAHYD-n-speek
Sentence: Having had some acting lessons but never playing a paying role, Marla put her "talents" to good use in the office. She hideandspeaks her boss daily by making funny faces and rude gestures while saying all the right things. These days she isn't bothered by work-related stress at all.
Etymology: a play on the children's game hide-and-seek. HIDE: conceal from sight, not speak one's mind, not speak the truth. SPEAK: talk. Also HIDE: the gestures are hidden from the boss. AND SEEK: the boss needs to seek out what the employees REALLY think about it.
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COMMENTS:
Excellent! - ErWenn, 2008-01-28: 10:36:00
Very creative, BB. - Tigger, 2008-01-28: 12:19:00
Oh you bring out the child in all of us ... in the most delightful way! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 12:48:00
Childhood memories come flooding back! Good word! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:53:00
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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