Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To engage in conversation while using a technical device, like a TV or computer, to keep you sharp, in case the discussion gets dull. n. A two-way conversation which is technically one-sided.
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.
Tonezoning
Created by: toadstool57
Pronunciation: Tone-zone-ing
Sentence: As Jill barked out orders, David sits tonezoning, using his remote to tune her out.
Etymology: Tone, a noise or sound. zoning, to drift off, tune out the surrounding noise.
Flipversation
Created by: chofu67
Pronunciation: flip ver sa shun
Sentence: I watched as they conducted a flipversation - she talking of her boyfriend problems while he nodded and stared at the continuous string of changing images on his new plasmsa TV.
Etymology: flip = change from one thing to the next; conversation
Cyversation
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: sahy-ver-sey-shuhn
Sentence: Alex thinks he is expert at multi-tasking. He thinks he can talk to his girlfriend while he is texting friends or updating his Facebook status. Their cyversation works for them. She talks. He acts like he is listening and reacts with grunts and nods. She can do whatever she wants because he "agreed".
Etymology: cyber (computer-related) conversation (dialogue, discourse)
Ituneout
Created by: purpleartichokes
Pronunciation: i/tune/out
Sentence: My grandfather lamented that he hated talking to "kids these days" as they always seemed to ituneout him as he was describing how he had to walk to school in three feet of snow, up hill, both ways.
Etymology: i-tune, tune out
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COMMENTS:
It's a technology problem isn't it... - wordmeister, 2007-01-11: 09:46:00
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Dyschatsia
Created by: Osomatic
Pronunciation: dis-CHAT-see-ah
Sentence: He's got dyschatsia so bad that he can listen to his wife, play World of Warcraft, and watch TV at the same time.
Etymology: See "dyslexia."
Electrisponse
Created by: Fenners
Pronunciation: electri + sponse
Sentence: You're very electrisponsive today. Stop watching the news when I'm talking to you!
Etymology: electric + response
Converspacetion
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: con-ver-space-shon
Sentence: Having a conversation with Jim was more like having a converspacetion. His addiction to the SciFi channel kept his mind in a galaxy far, far away. Jen found it difficult to talk to him about their relationship when he was wearing his Mr.Spock ears. "But Honey," he grinned, "how can you say I'm not listening? I'm all ears!"
Etymology: conversation + space (as in space cadet-unfocused, inattentive)
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COMMENTS:
Sounds like Jim has lots of space between his ears - jrogan, 2009-08-14: 08:37:00
He won't live long and prosper...logical word and sentence, Earthling! - Nosila, 2009-08-14: 12:17:00
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Preoccuswitch
Created by: Maureen
Pronunciation: pre-occ-u-switch
Sentence: "Jane you should know that when I am in preoccuswitch mode I can listen and perform at the same time."
Etymology: preoccupation - totally engrossed. Switch - to turn from one thing to another.
Converstation
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: con/ver/sty/shun
Sentence: He would flip the stations to reply to her questons. Anything on BBC Canada meant she was sounding like his mother and switching to the sports channel meant that he wasn't listening.
Etymology: conversation + TV station
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COMMENTS:
No, no, no... When he converstations to the sports channel, that means he's excited! - wordmeister, 2007-01-11: 09:40:00
He'd get more brownie points clicking into the Women's network - Jabberwocky, 2007-01-11: 11:44:00
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Communescapetion
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: komm mee yoon es kayp shun
Sentence: Dora told Diego, "We need to talk..." Diego hated conversations that started this way, because he knew he was in trouble for something or would have to make big, grown-up decisions or commitments. His favourite ploy was to get busy on his tv/computer etc. so that he had a communescapetion device. Too bad that Dora was smart enough to disable all his cyber-escape toys before their "chat". You can't really blame her...it was a big deal telling this nerd he would have to grow up and be an adult Daddy to a new little nerd!
Etymology: Communication (be in verbal contact; interchange information or ideas) & Escape (an inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy;remove oneself from a familiar environment, usually for pleasure or diversion)
Comments:
ErWenn - 2007-01-11: 20:23:00
I like this definition. If there were a good word (or phrase, more likely) for this, I'd actually consider using it. Same with yesterday's.
Hey Erwin, Thanks for the complement on the definition. I appreciate your feedback! So which word are you going to use? Maybe Faultitasking or Digitalk? How about Flipversation? Or if you want something short -- Gabget? ~ James