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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...
You have two votes. Click on the words to read the details, then vote your favorite.
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)
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.
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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
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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)
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COMMENTS:
Good for mum! - splendiction, 2009-10-06: 22:43:00
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Copychat
Created by: Bulletchewer
Pronunciation: cop-ee-chat
Sentence: Leanne would copychat his posh accent to make her client feel more at ease.
Etymology: From "copy cat" and "chat".
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COMMENTS:
exchatullent word! - wordmeister, 2007-03-20: 10:14:00
You got my vote. Our words seem similarly inspired - great minds... :D - Discoveria, 2007-03-20: 10:31:00
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Vernacclimate
Created by: swallowedbyafish
Pronunciation:
Sentence: After a few months he found he had vernacclimated with the locals without even noticing.
Etymology: vernacular + acclimate
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COMMENTS:
I think there is a real use for this word - nice one. - petaj, 2007-03-20: 08:46:00
Oooh, I like that one. - jedijawa, 2007-03-20: 09:20:00
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Locanaut
Created by: sisica
Pronunciation: LO-kah-not
Sentence: Did you hear that guy just locanaut? He said "y'all" and "ya reckon" but he told us he's from Oregon! I don't think they talk like that in Oregon!
Etymology: Loca -- from Local Naut -- from the Greek "naut" which means pertaining to ships or sailors, but used in "astronaut" as in a "star sailor." In this case, it would imply "sailing" of regions. Of course, considering that it sounds like "NOT," it also serves as a play on the words, suggesting "Local -- NOT!!"
Mimidic
Created by: Laala
Pronunciation: The first syllable is stressed.
Sentence:
Etymology: to mimic= to imitate, dicere (latin)= to say
Mimeojargon
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: mim/ee/uh/jar/gon
Sentence: After spending many hours interviewing high school students, the counsellor's mimeojargon became part of her life and her friends just didn't understand her.
Etymology: mimeograph + jargon
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic.
Thank you Osomatic! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic. Thank you Osomatic. ~ James