Verboticisms

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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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)

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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)

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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)

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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".

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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!!"

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Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: ling wisht

Sentence: When the hunky French Professor entered the classroom for the first time, his handsome face, charming mannerisms and infectious accent were found very attractive to all the female students. After listening to him lecture for a while, many in the class starting speaking with the same accent. One girl in particular, became seriously influenced by his Continental speech, developed a mad crush on Monsieur and became a lingwisht herself. Ah, no wonder French is a Romance language...

Etymology: Linguist (someone who studies the humanistic study of language and literature) & Wished (prefer to do something;hoped for;invoked upon)

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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).

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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

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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)

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