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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...
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Mirrormate
Created by: chris
Pronunciation: mi-rerr-mayt
Sentence: Copying the accents and language of people he didn't even know usually ended up with him being thumped - but he couldn't help himself; his urge to mirrormate was totally out of control
Etymology: reflecting (mirror) the style of those around you (mates)
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
Idiolectate
Created by: Ahmad
Pronunciation: edeo-lektaet
Sentence: I have never seen such a perfect idiolectate like saim.
Etymology: idiolect = an individual way or style of talking. Imitate = to copy some one or something.so to copy some one's speech the way he/she speaks.
Slangadapt
Created by: jonobo
Pronunciation: slangadapt
Sentence: I slangadapted faster than expected, my speech-center got infected, no matter how hard i tried to reject it, so i just neglect it.
Etymology: to adapt the surrounding slang. slang + adapt. simple.
Accentufake
Created by: Loreshai
Pronunciation: ack sent you fake
Sentence: Bill accentufaked his reading of Shakespeare so that the ignorant children might learn something.
Etymology: accentuate- to highlight a certain item + fake - not real ( also a play on "accent you fake")
Peerbonics
Created by: toadstool57
Pronunciation: pEEr-bon-ics
Sentence: David aquired a severe case of peerbonics, taking on the speaking mannerisms he picked up in his group of friends.
Etymology: peer, as in friends/ebonics, black english
Grammaeleon
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: gramēlyən
Sentence: Joe is what is referred to as a military brat. As he grew up his family changed homes as often as some people change their underwear. Everywhere they lived he adopted the regional vernacular complete with inflections and slang. He was a regular grammaeleon, changing to match his language the local background. From Texas to California to Jersey and many points between, he collected many colloquialisms. As an adult he seems confused at times spouting strangely mixed phrases like **Fugget abowt it Ya*all dudes**.
Etymology: grammar (the whole system and structure of a language or of languages in general, usually taken as consisting of syntax and morphology including inflections and sometimes also phonology and semantics) + chamaeleon (a small slow-moving Old World lizard with a highly developed ability to change color)
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COMMENTS:
I newt it would be a good word! - Nosila, 2009-10-07: 01:28:00
like it... - mweinmann, 2009-10-07: 07:52:00
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Scameleon
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: skamēlyən
Sentence: A big part of the politician’s popularity is because he is a scameleon. Whatever group he is talking to is the group he is part of. If speaking to blue-collar workers, the sleeves are rolled up and the language a bit rough. A chat with business leaders prompts the three-piece suit and corresponding jargon. When pressed, followers can’t even specify what party he belongs to. He could be a liberal Republican or a moderate Democrat.
Etymology: scam (a dishonest scheme; a fraud) + chameleon (a small slow-moving Old World lizard with a prehensile tail, long extensible tongue, protruding eyes that rotate independently, and a highly developed ability to change color)
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)
Vernaculitis
Created by: Sed8ed
Pronunciation: vern-ack-u-li-tis
Sentence: She suffered from a severe case of vernaculitis after living in the south for so many years.
Etymology:
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic.
Thank you Osomatic! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic. Thank you Osomatic. ~ James