Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To be unable to remember the name of a person you are speaking to, even though you've had a long-standing, and perhaps even an intimate relationship. n. An inability to remember a person's name.
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.
Whodonym
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /hoo-do-nim/
Sentence: Jason always called his fiancee by pet names, such as "Sweetheart" or "Honey," and although her name was actually 'Mary Louise' all her friends just called her "Lou". So when he introduced her to his cousin before the wedding, he got a case of 'brain lock' and all he could think of were whodonyms. Then, at the chapel, when the priest asked, "Do you take Mary Louise to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Jason's nervous first response was to ask, "Who?". It was beginning to look like the honeymoon wasn't going to be as pleasant and relaxing as he'd hoped.
Etymology: Who - what person? (from Old English, hwā "who") + pseudonym - a fictitious or pen name (from Greek, pseudonymos "having a false name")
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COMMENTS:
I'll be using "brain lock" ... great pairing! A Whodlum hopes everyone, especially the cops, have brain lock and whodonyms? Innovative! - silveryaspen, 2008-03-04: 19:11:00
Very creative: a real word! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-03-04: 20:01:00
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Chumnundrum
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: chum-NUN-drum
Sentence: When Bob couldn't remember the names of his five former partners and his ten children, his friends asked whether he was suffering from palzheimers, or was this chumnundrum just a last-hitch attempt to avoid palimony
Etymology: Blend of CHUM: mate, cobber,buddy & NUNDRUM of Conundrum: riddle, enigma. Alternative etymology: Chum: close friend; nun: none, not any & Drum: the facts, info.
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COMMENTS:
Terrific word. Very orignal etymology and that isn't easy with this definition! - silveryaspen, 2008-12-29: 10:16:00
love it - Jabberwocky, 2008-12-29: 15:23:00
Love it and palzheimers, too! What was the definition again?? - Nosila, 2008-12-29: 18:49:00
A#1 - metrohumanx, 2008-12-29: 19:11:00
This is clever....parumpachumdum. - mweinmann, 2008-12-30: 09:01:00
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Pseudesia
Created by: kashman
Pronunciation: soo-day-sia
Sentence: Jack seldom feigned pseudesia while at his dates to avoid being sucked into small talk.
Etymology: pseudonym (feigned or erroneous name) + amnesia (loss of memory)
Aliauhm
Created by: jajsr
Pronunciation: Ale-lee-uh-m
Sentence: Rick was popular at work, and he spoke to everyone. But when asked if he knew the name of the new accountant in the finance department, Rick came up with all kinds of aliauhms.
Etymology: Combination of "Alia" from alias - an assumed or additional name; and "Uhm"
Quasinogo
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: kwozzy-no-go
Sentence: Freddie Forgetty, was a real Quasinogo. His hunchback and dodgy eye were certainly detractions, but his worst failing was that he could never remember his girlfriends' names. He was often heard to say, "but the face rings a bell".
Etymology: Quasimodo - bell ringer at Notre Dame + no go (fail)
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COMMENTS:
Great sentence! - silveryaspen, 2008-12-31: 23:40:00
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Amnamenesia
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: am-naim-NEES-ya
Sentence: Jamie had instant recall on the winners of the last 30 world series, all the Superbowls, and every MLB MVP over the last 3 decades but when it came to recalling people's names he had recurring bouts of amnamenesia
Etymology: Blend of 'name' and 'amnesia'.
Onomamnesia
Created by: XMbIPb
Pronunciation: /o-no-ma-mne-zhi-a/
Sentence: Woke up one morning and said: “Good morning, Sue” to the woman still sleeping next to me. Given the fact that my wife’s name is not Sue, it didn’t sit well with her. Claiming ONOMAMNESIA didn’t work. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get out of that one? I mean other than to find a good divorce attorney?
Etymology: ONOMA (fr. Greek) – name; AMNESIA (fr. Greek) – forgetfulness
Facialapsosis
Created by: metrohumanx
Pronunciation: FAYshull-APSE-OH!-sis
Sentence: Wilfred's palms began to sweat when the mystery woman called his name and coiled her arms around his neck like albino boa constrictors. Managing his best fake smile, names began to flood into his empty skull like a leak in a brass diving helmet. Wilfred was a victim of FACIALAPSOSIS - the often fatal inability to recall the name of someone from the not-so-remote past.
Etymology: FACIAl+LAPSe+OSIS=FACIALAPSOSIS........FACIAL:of or relating to the face, esp one you should know well.....LAPSE:a slight error typically due to forgetfulness or inattention;Latin lapsus, from labi to slip.....-OSIS:indicating a condition or untreated affliction.
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COMMENTS:
Great sentence. Painted the picture in the mind! Great create with very original etymology, too! - silveryaspen, 2008-12-29: 10:19:00
Thanks! FIFTY Verbotomists today! I'm gabberflasted. - metrohumanx, 2008-12-29: 19:07:00
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Memoromission
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: mem - or - oh - miss - shun
Sentence: Plagued with a poor memory for names, Gilbert would often experience memoromission when encountering acquaintances.
Etymology: Mix of Memory and Omission
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COMMENTS:
Delightful mmmmmmm mmmmmm good alliteration! - silveryaspen, 2008-03-04: 10:01:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by silveryaspen. Thank you silveryaspen. ~ James
silveryaspen - 2008-03-04: 17:07:00
Your great word associations and creations made my day, everyone. It is a pleasure to have these mind associations with all of you every day! Isn't this website like sunshine for the mind? !!! Everyone contributes some rays! Everyone goes away warmed by some rays!
silveryaspen - 2008-03-04: 17:08:00
Good job with the defninition and cartoon. Thank you, James.
Thank you Silveryaspen for the inspiring words! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by silveryaspen. Thank you silveryaspen. ~ James