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.
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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Invisign
Created by: Dougalistic
Pronunciation: In-vis-sine
Sentence: Geoff made an invisign to Bob the other day, it was hilarious! As you know Geoff has a fetish for sheep, so Bob, being the funny man he is got hold of Geoff's picture of a sheep and started making thrusting gestures down the phone haha! Geoff would have hit the roof!!
Etymology: Invisible - withdrawn from or out of sight; hidden: e.g. 'an invisible seam'. Sign - any object, action, event, pattern, etc., that conveys a meaning.
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COMMENTS:
Very descriptive sentence! [Things that make you go 'Ewe'...] - Tigger, 2008-01-28: 12:06:00
You are so baaaa-d you are good! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-28: 12:41:00
Probably did it with a sheepish grin! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 17:01:00
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Derrign
Created by: bluemukaki
Pronunciation: de-rhyne
Sentence: "I'm sick of those stupid derrrigns Bob does in our photos. can't he rub his nipples in someone else's photos?"
Etymology: der[ogatory]+ [S]ign, portmanteau of Derogatory and Sign. R added for pronunciation.
Rearaction
Created by: TJayzz
Pronunciation: Ree-er-act-shun
Sentence: Norman was completely oblivious to the rearaction that was going on behind his back when he expressed his ideas for the new office decor. Everyone sounded like they were full of praise and approval whilst their hidden gestures told a very different story.
Etymology: Rear(at the back, behind) ORIGIN Old French rere from Latin retro 'back' + Action(a thing done) = Rearaction
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COMMENTS:
Sounds almost kinky...works though. - Mustang, 2008-11-19: 07:58:00
Great word- has slightly militaristic favour, also. - metrohumanx, 2008-11-21: 08:32:00
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Clandesderide
Created by: metrohumanx
Pronunciation: clan-DESS-de-ride (clandesderision)
Sentence: Whether it be an inane administrative voicemail, an idiotic conference call or just a monotonous moronic powerpoint presentation in a semi-darkened meeting, The Gang of Three would always CLANDESDERIDE every harebrained suggestion, pretentious "vision statement" or ill-conceived initiative that our overpaid executives would concoct in an attempt to be more "proactive" in running the company into the ground. One-way memos pathetically posted were as dead as the mimeograph machine, and the creativity generated by the phenomena of "hands-on" interactive micromanagement usually took the form of mysterious holy gestures, usually obscene...but always entertaining. The art of CLANDESDERISION will flourish until the advent of video teleconferencing and the ubiquitous webcam results in the tragic extinction of our sarcastic native species.
Etymology: CLANDEStine+DERIDE=CLANDESDERIDE..... CLANDESTINE:marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy;Middle French or Latin; Middle French clandestin, from Latin clandestinus, from clam secretly; akin to Latin celare to hide...DERIDE:to subject to usually bitter or contemptuous ridicule,to laugh at contemptuously;Latin deridēre, from de- + ridēre to laugh. :)
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COMMENTS:
No respect?
http://www.rodney.com/rodney/home/home.asp - metrohumanx, 2008-11-19: 20:36:00
much respect - DaddyNewt, 2008-11-21: 23:33:00
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Blindsign
Created by: silveryaspen
Pronunciation: bl-eye-nd-s-eye-nd
Sentence: The two siblings could say one thing while they used blindsign to say another, taking double speak to a whole new level.
Etymology: a play on blind, sign, and eye
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COMMENTS:
Short and sweet: good word! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-28: 16:41:00
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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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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:
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)
Electromockery
Created by: verboman
Pronunciation: Electro- Mockery
Sentence: mocking using electronic media
Etymology: electronic + mockery
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