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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
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Copychat
Created by: libertybelle
Pronunciation: cop-ee-chat
Sentence: When I first met Floyd, I thought he was mocking my Jersey accent but I soon realized he was just a copychat when he picked up a Brogue when we visited Dublin.
Etymology: copy + chat and a play on the word copycat
Dialectick
Created by: Nuwanda
Pronunciation: die-a-leck-tick
Sentence: For most of his life, Joe was able to avoid mishap caused by his dialectick. Growing up in Central Iowa, no one seemed to notice or care much when he affected the speech patterns of a Keokuk-ian or Des Moines-ite. But his dialectick did not serve him well when he got a job at the Starbucks across the street from U.N. headquarters. He was fired after two hours because of complaints that he was taunting the customers.
Etymology: Dialect (dialect n. A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety of speech.) + tic (A habitual spasmodic muscular movement or contraction, usually of the face or extremities)
Lexidapt
Created by: ziggy41
Pronunciation: (lecks-uh-dapt)
Sentence: Musicians are somewhat known for the ability to lexidapt one's speech within minutes.
Etymology: From Greek "lexis-" (word) and Latin "adaptare" (to fit, to adjust).
Dialecturer
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: dy aa lek tur er
Sentence: When Professor Higgins gave one of his English Literature courses, he always spoke with the accent of the writer. For Burns, he'd burl his r's to sound Scottish;for Shakespeare he spoketh hey nonny nonny in the quaint speech of the time and for Chaucer, he perfected olde English so well, none could understand a word he spaketh. He was a true dialecturer.
Etymology: Dialect (accent, the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people) & Lecturer (someone who lectures professionally, a public lecturer at certain universities)
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.
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)
Versonify
Created by: jasonmichaelhayes
Pronunciation: ver-son-i-fy
Sentence: To better convey his lessons, Mr. Taylor succumbed to SMS versonification.
Etymology: Like personify, but in verse.
Talkonalog
Created by: mana1066
Pronunciation: talk-on-a-log
Sentence: When hanging around Tyrone, Winston used his black talkonalog.
Etymology: talk + take on + dialog
Osmolinguate
Created by: PythianHabenero
Pronunciation: osmo-LING-g(y)oo-ate
Sentence: My tendency to osmolinguate is one reason why I prefer to keep friends whose elocution I find pleasant.
Etymology: "Osmosis" + the lingu- word root, with help from "amalgamate".
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