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.
Drowsiphany
Created by: zrotv
Pronunciation: drouz-ĭf'ə-nē
Sentence: My eyelids were weighted and thoughts diffused to nothingness as sleep was to take hold momentarily. Suddenly I had a drowsiphany. It was in that sedate state the the schematics for the flux-capacitor became clear as day.
Etymology: Drowse (To be half-asleep) + epiphany (A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.)
Snortle
Created by: jrogan
Pronunciation: snor-til
Sentence: My wife kept snortling all night long and I could sleep either...
Etymology: snort-tell
Restlessception
Created by: moltentim
Pronunciation: rest/less/sep/shun
Sentence: Bob had a restlessception and couldn't fall asleep for the rest of the night.
Etymology: restless + conception (idea)
Nightbulbmoment
Created by: lumina
Pronunciation: night/bulb/moment
Sentence: Joe didn't didn't get much sleep last night because his wife had another nightbulbmoment.
Etymology: Obvious isn't it? This was a hard one. :)
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COMMENTS:
I've had them,too! - Nosila, 2008-06-21: 02:14:00
Ilike it; great word - OZZIEBOB, 2008-06-21: 19:32:00
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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...
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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Thoughtmare
Created by: jedijawa
Pronunciation: thawt-mare
Sentence: Jill couldn't get to sleep because a thoughtmare was keeping her mind working too fast to get any rest.
Etymology: thought + nightmare
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COMMENTS:
Another great word! - Stevenson0, 2007-04-09: 20:48:00
I like the sound of this word, though I want to use it for the sorts of nonsensically horrifying idea-dreams that run through my head when I'm asleep enough to dream, but awake enough to know that the ideas don't make sense. - ErWenn, 2007-04-09: 22:47:00
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Nighdea
Created by: LankyJane
Pronunciation: [nye DEAR]/[nye DEE uh]
Sentence: I got no sleep last night, all because of this one bright nighdea.
Etymology: From "night" and "idea". The kind of idea that only comes to you late at night, particularly when you're almost asleep.
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COMMENTS:
Perfect! - lumina, 2008-06-20: 09:56:00
like it - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-20: 13:07:00
good one - Nosila, 2008-06-21: 02:13:00
Very good. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-06-21: 19:34:00
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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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Revigilation
Created by: ErWenn
Pronunciation: /ɹəˌvɪdʒəˈleɪʃən/̩
Sentence: Sometimes my revigilations seem truly deep, and sometimes I stay awake at nights wondering if "procrasticap" is funnier than "apathetes' heel".
Etymology: From revelation + vigil
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COMMENTS:
Sounds like supervising exam candidates over and over - that would keep one awake at night too. - petaj, 2007-04-09: 04:48:00
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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