Vote for the best verboticism.

'Honey, are you awake?'

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.

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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.

Nocturtrance

Created by: remistram

Pronunciation: nok-ter-trance

Sentence: She kept her blackberry under her pillow on this night so she could record her nocturtrances.

Etymology: nocturnal + trance

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Mullidget

Created by: pinwheel

Pronunciation: mull/id/jet

Sentence: When Jimmy worked out a way to avoid doing the washing up ever again, it was such a mullidget he was tossing and turning all night.

Etymology: mull + idea + fidget

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COMMENTS:

playdohheart I love this word except for it makes me think that perhaps the reason for being awake is considering mullets. But it would have had my vote if I hadn't voted already. - playdohheart, 2007-04-09: 04:37:00

petaj Or considering midgets, or midget mullets. - petaj, 2007-04-09: 04:51:00

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Reveilleation

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: reh/vell/ee/ay/shun

Sentence: I was just settling down for a long winter's nap when a reveilleation so earth shattering occurred to me that I couldn't get a wink of sleep. I was also convinced that something was stuck in our chimney.

Etymology: reveille (military wake-up signal)+ revelation

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COMMENTS:

Clever blend. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-06-21: 19:34:00

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Thoughtywink

petaj

Created by: petaj

Pronunciation: th-or-tee-wink

Sentence: Being a particularly creative type, Michelangelo was prone to thoughtywinks which allowed him only very light sleep for extremely short periods. He longed for a solid night of deep sleep.

Etymology: thought (mental process that generates ideas) + forty winks (a short light nap)

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COMMENTS:

Almost as good as "thoughtdiscount". Gets a vote. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-09: 05:27:00

Cute word! - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-09: 06:00:00

Also sounds like "naughty winks" -- gets my vote. - wordmeister, 2007-04-09: 23:05:00

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Cogiwake

libertybelle

Created by: libertybelle

Pronunciation: coj-ee-wake

Sentence: Instead of getting the much needed slumber before her big trial, Bianca spent the night cogiwaking about the prospect of spending the next ten years behind bars. Too tired to testify her defense well, poor Bianca was ultimately sentenced to life.

Etymology: cogitate + awake

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Eurekathought

Created by: josje

Pronunciation: eureka thought

Sentence: i dont want to go to sleep i´ve just got an eurekathought.

Etymology: thinking and eureka.

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Inspirosomnia

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: in spy ro som nee ya

Sentence: Terry was just dropping off to a much needed sleep, when the idea hit like a ton of bricks! "That's what I'll do"..."I can have a makeover, do some lypo, get collagen and botox shots, get some extensions, buy a new wardrobe, take singing & dancing lessons and debut in Vegas! It'll be great! I'll wear glamourous gowns and be the toast of the town!" All night ideas and thoughts continued to churn, until the clock showed it was 6:00 am and not a wink of sleep had occurred. Finally Emma spoke and she asked him, "Terry, I heard you talking in your sleep, but you weren't really asleep... are you really going to quit your job as a mechanic to become a showgirl???"

Etymology: Inspire (fill with revolutionary ideas; stimulate the mind) & insomnia (an inability to sleep; chronic sleeplessness)

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COMMENTS:

very nice blend - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-20: 13:07:00

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| Comments and Points

Nightbulb

Created by: wordmeister

Pronunciation: nite-bulb

Sentence: Roger had a nightbulb so dark and brilliant that he couldn't sleep for week. Finally, his wife pulled the plug on the idea, and he rested...

Etymology: night + lightbulb

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COMMENTS:

Good one! - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-09: 09:49:00

Strangely enough, I couldn't sleep last night, so this one was easy. - wordmeister, 2007-04-09: 11:45:00

appropriate for spring planting - Jabberwocky, 2007-04-09: 12:19:00

This should win. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-09: 15:39:00

re: spring planting -- Yes, blooming deep shade tulips - wordmeister, 2007-04-09: 18:20:00

I like the mental image that goes with that one! - jedijawa, 2007-04-09: 23:51:00

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Idenia

Created by: chaok

Pronunciation: eye-dee-nee-uh

Sentence: I have to take pills to sleep, otherwise i would have an idenia and lose a night of sleep.

Etymology: idea + insomnia

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Dormiphany

Created by: dengkeeevvin

Pronunciation: door-mif-uh-nee

Sentence: I had a horrble night of sleep. I had no problem falling asleep but then I had a dormiphany of what to do about my situation at work. That kept me up all night!

Etymology:

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Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-09: 00:03:00
Thank you to Dan Pink for sponsoring this week's Right-Brain Verbotomy Contest and creativity prize. ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-09: 11:29:00
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.

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-04-10: 00:07:00
Thanks toadstool57. We're just trying to create some environmentally friendly ideas. ~ James

OZZIEBOB - 2008-06-21: 19:35:00
Excellent.

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2009-10-26: 02:14:00
Today's definition was suggested by wordmeister. Thank you wordmeister. ~ James