Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To make something worse while attempting to make it better. n. A bad improvement.
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.
Faltercation
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: fal/tur/cay/shun
Sentence: The alteration quickly became a faltercation once the bandages came off in the doctor's office.
Etymology: alter + falter + the ensuing altercation
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COMMENTS:
Sounds like some of my home improvement projects. lol - Mustang, 2008-05-15: 21:46:00
Excellent blend! - Tigger, 2008-05-15: 23:31:00
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Badvancement
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /bad-VANS-mehnt/
Sentence: It seems that each new elected politician is a badvancement on the last one. Although they promise improvement after improvement, and all sorts of advancements, things keep going from bad to worse.
Etymology: Bad - of poor or inferior quality; defective (of uncertain origin; meaning of "defective or inferior" first recorded around 1300 AD) + Advancement - a forward step; an improvement (from Old French, avancer "move forward")
Grimprovement
Created by: TJayzz
Pronunciation: Grimm-proov-mant
Sentence: Since taking the home improvement course at her local college, Jenny couldn't wait to try out her new found skills in her own home, but when her husband saw the new lime green paint job in the lounge he thought it was more like a grimprovement.
Etymology: Grim(depressing, unappealing) + Improvement(The action of improving or improved, to make something better than it was) =Grimprovement
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COMMENTS:
good word..grimpressive - Nosila, 2008-05-15: 01:54:00
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Unintendment
Created by: pieceof314
Pronunciation: un-intend-ment
Sentence: Horace had horrible headaches. He was getting rather desperate. He thought by cutting his head off, he would alleviate the problem. The one unintendment he didn't count on was death.
Etymology: un, not + intend, to direct one's attention towards
Sobadisticimprovement
Created by: chrissimo87
Pronunciation: so-bad-istic-improvement
Sentence: I think you will find that was top of the 100 sobadisticimprovments awards this year
Etymology:
Remuddle
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: ree - MUDL
Sentence: Wilford had set out to completely redesign and redo the interior of his home but lacking proper skills and experience his effort turned out to be a hideous remuddle rather than the upgrade he had envisioned.
Etymology: Blend of remodel and muddle...to mix up in a confused or bungling manner
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COMMENTS:
excellent - Jabberwocky, 2008-05-15: 11:41:00
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Incompattempt
Created by: tmcg5625
Pronunciation: in-comp-att-empt
Sentence: "But honey the car looks way cooler now. you cant tell the spoilers made of cardboard and the foil on the wheels make them look like chrome. classy" "I think so too sweetheart. next should get some personalized plates that say INCOMPATTEMPT!"
Etymology: Incompetent- "Duuhh?" Attempt-"yeah i'll give it a go."
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COMMENTS:
great word - Jabberwocky, 2008-05-15: 11:48:00
like it - galwaywegian, 2008-05-15: 12:10:00
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Malhancement
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: mal-HANS-ment
Sentence: The best laid plans of mice and men often end in malhancement.
Etymology: Combination of MAL:bad, badly, wrong,wrongly & HANCEMENT:to make greater,as in value, beauty, effectiveness; provide with improved features.
Shedit
Created by: ZenoX
Pronunciation: shed it
Sentence: She went to a plastic surgeon the other day and shedited her nose. She was telling me all about that present she'll never afford now. Wait till she hears about her embarrassing shedit. She'll probably never admit her mistake.
Etymology: A shit edit, a change that should be hid in a dark place (shed).
Comments:
Today's definition is inspired by author and philosopher, Mark Kingwell who I saw last night speaking about "Social Change". He reminded us that not all change is good change. And noted that in German they have word to describe such bad improvements -- Schlimmbesserung -- which we don't have in English. And so it's today's challenge. Thanks Mark! ~ James