Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To unconsciously adopt the vocal mannerisms and linguistic stylings of the people with whom you are speaking. n. A speaker who adopts the vocal mannerisms of their audience.
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.
Mimiclique
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: MIM-ih-clik
Sentence: Without realizing he was doing it, whenever he was around his group of friends Lamar would do his mimiclique routine, subconsciously trying to impress each of them by copying their style of speech.
Etymology: Blend of the words 'mimic' and 'clique'
Reverblicate
Created by: buck180
Pronunciation: re 'verb' li kate
Sentence: When on vacation John unwittingly reverblicates the speech of the local people much to their dismay.
Etymology: From reverberate: to echo a sound. And from duplicate: to copy exactly.
Vernactitude
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: ver nakt itood
Sentence: My Mother has a vernactitude in communicating with others from different ethnic backgrounds. First of all she speaks slower and louder than normal (apparently in her mind this will help them understand her English words better). She uses far more hand language & gestures and throws in foreign words to better describe what she is trying to say. It matters not that the foreign words are not in the language of that person. She recently spoke to a Chinese waiter and after she slowly and loudly told him her order, ended it with "Capeesh,Garçon?"
Etymology: Vernacular (the everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language);a characteristic language of a particular group) & Aptitude (inherent ability)
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Good for mum! - splendiction, 2009-10-06: 22:43:00
----------------------------
Echolocution
Created by: splendiction
Pronunciation: EK oh lo koo shun
Sentence: Whenever he could, he would echolocution with his young grandchildren, in an effort to gain their acceptance. Talking with them lead to texting with them, using their own special brand of lingo.
Etymology: From: echo and locution.
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Echological thinking... - Nosila, 2009-10-06: 18:08:00
clever - mweinmann, 2009-10-07: 08:19:00
Always been a bit confused about the use of locution and elocution - artr, 2009-10-07: 11:30:00
----------------------------
Langslide
Created by: purpleartichokes
Pronunciation: lang-slide
Sentence: After interviewing the president, Bob recapped the discussion, and langslided when he talked about North Korea's "nucular" capabilities.
Etymology: language, slide
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
excellent one! - toadstool57, 2007-03-20: 08:19:00
----------------------------
Apeoplexy
Created by: porsche
Pronunciation: ape/oh/plexi
Sentence: The teacher was felled by a sudden attack of apeoplexy
Etymology: ape (mimic) + apoplexy (sudden loss or impairment)
Verbotomime
Created by: jedijawa
Pronunciation: ver-boto-mime
Sentence: Jedijawa tends to unconsciously verbotomime the dialect and accent of people who he talks to for more than 5 minutes unless he tries very hard not to do so.
Etymology: verbotomy (pandering to the board on this one) + mime (to imitate)
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Verbotomimicry is the sincerest form of flattery. Thank you! - Verbotomy, 2007-03-20: 10:27:00
----------------------------
Paraphonics
Created by: CharlieB
Pronunciation: para-fon-icks
Sentence: Scientists in the field of paraphonics have found the perfect example of manipulative parodiction: high-profile chef James Olivier and former Prime Minister Tommy Bleurgh both move easily between Estuary English and RP depending on their audience.
Etymology: parody (to imitate poorly or feebly) + phonic (of or pertaining to speech)
Hackcent
Created by: Osomatic
Pronunciation: hack + sent
Sentence: John picked up a brogue in Dublin, and we made fun of him mercilessly for his hackcent.
Etymology: hack + accent
Sheeper
Created by: josje
Pronunciation: sheeeeeeper
Sentence: you copy everything you are an sheeeper
Etymology: as in sheep who will follow anithing.
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic.
Thank you Osomatic! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic. Thank you Osomatic. ~ James