Vote for the best verboticism.

'So team, what do you think of my new idea?'

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.

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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.

Handestine

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: han/dess/tine

Sentence: They thought the CEO couldn't see the one fingered handestine salute he was given behind his back. Little did they know he wore two way mirrored glasses.

Etymology: hand + clandestine (covert)

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COMMENTS:

Verbal gymnastics...I like it!! - Mustang, 2008-11-19: 06:45:00

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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)

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Handestine

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: han/dess/tine

Sentence: They thought the CEO couldn't see the one fingered handestine salute he was given behind his back. Little did they know he wore two way mirrored glasses.

Etymology: hand + clandestine (covert)

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COMMENTS:

digitally enhanced vision! like it - galwaywegian, 2008-01-28: 07:19:00

I seriously debated over whether to even bother trying to make a word today, I liked this one so much...fantabulous. - Banky, 2008-01-28: 08:22:00

This will be heard, for it's such a handy word, by design, usefully fine! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 12:52:00

Handsome! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:21:00

I have to hand it to you! You handled this challenge well!! Easily the best word today!!! - Stevenson0, 2008-01-28: 21:01:00

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Contradigitation

Created by: CanadianAndyCapp

Pronunciation: CONTRA-DIGIT-ATION

Sentence: "Despite her verbal assurances to the contrary during the course of the phone call, her annoyance was clearly discernable through the contradigitation of her facial expression and hand gestures

Etymology:

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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.

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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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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

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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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Fliphandcy

Created by: Stevenson0

Pronunciation: flip/hand/see

Sentence: Sue was convinced that her fliphandcy would be construed as mere frivolity.

Etymology: flip (as in flip the finger) + hand + flippancy

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Gesturot

Created by: purpleman

Pronunciation: gest/ter/ot

Sentence: this is usually on fone

Etymology: Gesture+not

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2008-01-28: 00:01:00
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn. ~ James

Maxine - 2008-01-28: 08:57:00
This is a really great cartoon!

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2008-01-28: 11:03:00
Thanks Maxine! ~ James

libertybelle libertybelle - 2008-01-28: 11:12:00
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!

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2008-01-28: 14:30:00
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.

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2010-04-16: 00:10:00
Today's definition was suggested by ErWenn. Thank you ErWenn. ~ James