Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. An idea that pops into your head just before you fall asleep, which is so big and brilliant, or else so dark and scary, that it keeps you awake all night long. v. To lie awake in bed with a head full of big dreams.
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.
Branake
Created by: Tanik
Pronunciation: BrAn-Ak
Sentence: She was up all night with a serious case of branake. She just couldn't shake the thought of Bob with Sally.
Etymology: brain + awake
Chatterbrain
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: chat-er-breyn
Sentence: Jim hates it when Jill has an idea just before they fall asleep. She is such a chatterbrain that he can hear her thinking. Jim's thought for the night - No sleep for Jim.
Etymology: chatter (to talk rapidly in a foolish or purposeless way; jabber) + brain (the center of thought, understanding) a play on chatterbox
Pillowjostler
Created by: hobodad
Pronunciation: pillow-jostler
Sentence: I had such a pillowjostler of an idea last night I didn't get to sleep till cock-crow
Etymology:
Insomniaha
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: in som nee a ha
Sentence: It's like Wayne's brain was frozen all day, but when he did get brilliant ideas, it was just before he was getting ready to sleep. Then he would get his insomniaha moment. He finally learned to write these brain revolutions down, as inevitably he would be so tired the next day that he would forget his inspirations. That's when he would get amnesiaohnooooo!
Etymology: Insomnia (an inability to sleep) & Aha (expression used to describe triumph, surprise or "I get it!")
Premonstermare
Created by: Bulletchewer
Pronunciation: pre-mun-stir-mayr
Sentence: Dennis Skinner's premonstermare of a plot to quietly poison and thus kill the terrifying legacy of his beloved Mrs Thatcher caused the beast to stir more than a junkie's coffee.
Etymology: From "pre-" meaning "before", "premonition" meaning "inappropriate and patronizing", "monster" meaning "Mrs Thatcher" and "mare" meaning "Mrs Thatcher/old, barely-female horse".
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COMMENTS:
Huh? premonition - inappropriate and patronizing. Some subtlety there I just can't see - maybe a Dennis Skinner quote? - petaj, 2007-04-09: 07:18:00
A dream that occurs right before PMS. - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-09: 14:50:00
Premonition doesn't fit here, hence inappropriate. The fact I explain "pre-" is patronizing. Contrived as ever. No Skinner quote, just nods at "the Beast of Bolsover", as he is affectionately known. But if you're looking for references, did you get all/any of the Zeppelin refs for my word "gallowsbeaver"? - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-09: 15:44:00
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Albthought
Created by: jonobo
Pronunciation: alb like the alps + thought like contrary of thoughdrought.
Sentence: Just another albthought to keep the carousel spinning...
Etymology: Alb from german Albtraum, the german word for nightmare + thought ... english version should have been: Thoughtmare...
Idemic
Created by: timmy
Pronunciation: I dem ic
Sentence: I have an idemic idea!
Etymology:
Sleepiphany
Created by: libertybelle
Pronunciation: sleep-pip-fan-knee
Sentence: It was clear to me that my husband's sleepiphany was going to be the cause of my insomnia as every time I began to drift off he would bring up another nuance of his idea.
Etymology: sleep + epiphany... not my best work but it's been a while!
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COMMENTS:
love it - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-20: 13:08:00
nice! - TimTheEnchanter, 2008-06-20: 17:11:00
Like it a lot. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-06-21: 19:37:00
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Hypneureka
Created by: Crabtime
Pronunciation: Hip-nyur-EE-kah
Sentence: His coffee couldn't keep him awake--his hypneureka last night on the nature of caffiene made even his favorite drink unpalatable.
Etymology: Hypny- From Hypnos, Greek god of sleep Eureka- What Archimedes said when he leapt out of the bath, upon a discovery. Means "I have found it" or "This bath is too hot" in greek.
Eurekapnea
Created by: tbAG84
Pronunciation: yu-reek-ap-nii-ah
Sentence: "Johnson this new forecast model you put together last night is spot on! I'd have you in front of the board right now if it wasnt for the bags under youre eyes." "Thank you sir i have my eurekapnea to thank for both of them."
Etymology: Eureka moment- a moment of sudden and profopund insight. Apnea: A sleep condition that results in innability to sleep for long periods
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COMMENTS:
cute word - Nosila, 2009-10-27: 01:18:00
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Comments:
Thank you to Dan Pink for sponsoring this week's Right-Brain Verbotomy Contest and creativity prize. ~ James
What happened last week? Read Verbotoweek! A look back at last week's wickedest words and funniest comments... Edited by "Weeklink", one of our top players who from some reason, perhaps self-preservation, prefers to remain anonymous! See: Verbotoweek in the Verbotomy Blog.
Bulletchewer - 2007-04-09: 15:52:00
Wonder if this happened to Thomas Edison. Oh, and in a related piece of propaganda, vote for Wordmeister's "Nightbulb"! PS Great (if slightly embarrassing) blog!
wordmeister - 2007-04-09: 18:04:00
Hey Bulletchewer, Thanks for the vote of support! I guess I managed to skip through my own premonstermare without getting trampled...
Bulletchewer - 2007-04-09: 18:37:00
Just wondering if anyone else is ineligible for this week's contest. Who's up for a Sir Geoffrey?
toadstool57 - 2007-04-09: 21:34:00
James - cool that you spotlighted CFLs.
Thanks toadstool57. We're just trying to create some environmentally friendly ideas. ~ James
OZZIEBOB - 2008-06-21: 19:35:00
Excellent.
Today's definition was suggested by wordmeister. Thank you wordmeister. ~ James