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.
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).
Clonilinguist
Created by: Sketchy
Pronunciation: clone-ILL-ling-WIST
Sentence: Mr. Hubbard is a clonilinguist. His mind auotmatically takes on the speech patterns of the people around him.
Etymology: Clone, Linguist
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COMMENTS:
lol...i thought it was clever, but is more of a noun??? - Sketchy, 2007-03-20: 16:49:00
Loving the slightly risque pun here- even if it was unintentional. - Bulletchewer, 2007-03-20: 18:07:00
definitely funny - wordmeister, 2007-03-20: 23:56:00
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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)
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COMMENTS:
Verbotomimicry is the sincerest form of flattery. Thank you! - Verbotomy, 2007-03-20: 10:27:00
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Vomimical
Created by: ellianth
Pronunciation: Vo-mim-mic
Sentence: Before he knew it Mr. Teacher was vomimicing Susan's SMS lingo.
Etymology: Vomimmic
Phoneticopy
Created by: mweinmann
Pronunciation: fone - et - eh - kopee
Sentence: Maurice continued to phoneticopy everything his students said, even when they showed their displeasure.
Etymology: phonetic (of or relating to speech sounds), copy
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COMMENTS:
Perfect word for the definition - splendiction, 2009-10-06: 22:41:00
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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)
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)
Chameleunaware
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: cuh-meal-ee-un-ah-wear
Sentence: everyone at the old folks home found it amusing when the young janitor started saying things like 'whippersnapper' and 'in my day'... but even more amusing was that he was totally chameleunaware
Etymology: chameleon, unaware
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COMMENTS:
Nice switcheroo on the typical linguistic ageism. - wordmeister, 2007-03-20: 10:19:00
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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)
Copychat
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: kop-ee-chat
Sentence: I don't want to say that Tom is feeble-minded but whenever he talks to anybody for more than a few minutes he ends up sounding just like them. This can be embarrassing when he talks to someone with a distinctive voice who thinks they are being mocked. Last week a woman with a pronounced stutter slapped him.
Etymology: copycat (a person or thing that copies, imitates, mimics, or follows the lead of another) + chat (to converse in a familiar or informal manner)
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic.
Thank you Osomatic! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic. Thank you Osomatic. ~ James