Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To prevent someone from participating in an undesired activity by engaging them in another activity which makes it impossible to do the first. n. Two things cannot be done at the same time.
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.
Snubstitution
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /SNUB-sti-too-shun/
Sentence: Amanda had learned that when her boyfriend was arguing with her, the best thing to do was turn on the TV and tune in the sports channel. By using snubstitution, she could give his aggression another target. He would still be yelling and shouting, but gradually his attention would shift to the athletes and announcers on the TV instead of screaming at her. Also, sometimes when he was trying to be sweet, Don would serenade her in public, but he had a lousy singing voice — so she would just kiss him repeatedly until he gave up.
Etymology: Snub - to suddenly check or stop the action of; to reject (from Old Norse, snubba "to curse, scold, reprove") + Substitution - something which the place of something else; replacement (from Latin, substitutus "put in place of another")
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COMMENTS:
Like your word and sentence - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 08:20:00
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Nulltitasking
Created by: bookowl
Pronunciation: null/tee/task/ing
Sentence: He got absolutely nothing accomplished once he began nulltitasking.
Etymology: null + multitasking
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COMMENTS:
Seems like it's time for an annulment- or at least some sort of annulitasking? - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 18:50:00
Good word, though null and void where prohibited by law... - Nosila, 2008-05-22: 20:39:00
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Flikker
Created by: josje
Pronunciation: flikker
Sentence: stop this you flikker
Etymology: fucker and licker, witch you can't do in the same time.!!!!
Slyversionary
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: sly ver shun ary
Sentence: Sandra kept Simon's activities on a short leash. Whenever he wanted to do something she did not approve of, she would create a slyversionary attack. For instance, major sporting events on television were missed because that darn tv "acted up again" or "the cable was out". How could he join his buddies hunting when his rifle and hunting license were not to be found anywhere? You get the picture, but Simon failed to notice the coincidence of these events.
Etymology: Sly (marked by skill in deception) & Diversionary (an attack calculated to draw enemy defense away from the point of the principal attack;a tactic that diverts attention)
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COMMENTS:
the best word today! Very sly! - splendiction, 2009-07-02: 21:21:00
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Resequentiate
Created by: mweinmann
Pronunciation: ree - see - quen - chee - ate
Sentence: When Lenny's behavior went off-track, Mona decided to resequentiate him.
Etymology: re (again, repeat, change) sequential (one at a time), suffix "tiate" (as in initiate, substantiate)
Distractivity
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: dis-trac-tiv-i-ty
Sentence: Jill learned to keep a distractivity in her purse for social situations with Jack. If he became bored, he would get into trouble. At her mother's dinner party she heard him start a lively conversation about the elections with Uncle Will. Quickly, she pulled a Game Boy out of her purse and sent him into the game room to wait for dinner.
Etymology: distract: divert attention + activity: an educational aid designed to stimulate learning through hands-on experience
Distractitask
Created by: pieceof314
Pronunciation: di-strakt-ih-task
Sentence: "Hey Jim, look over here! Pie!" Mary vigorously pointed to the counter where a freshly baked pie was waiting to be dished out, trying to think of a way to get him to stop playing pocket pool. Jim's eyebrows raised as he took his hands from out of his pockets to reach for a plate. Just then, Mary's best friend walked in. The distractitask was successful.
Etymology: distract + task
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COMMENTS:
a bit disdrastic but cunning - Jabberwocky, 2008-05-22: 13:36:00
This aint just "Pie in the Sky" stuff. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-05-22: 18:58:00
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Subterguile
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: SUB - ter - gile
Sentence: Wilhelmena employed a two pronged game of subterguile on her couch potato fiance, Rutherford, first distracting him with alluring smiles and suggestions and then offering other options to lure him away from another weeked of non stop on-line gaming with his buddies on his computer.
Etymology: Blend of 'subterfuge' (A deceptive stratagem or device) and 'guile' (deceitful cunning)
Etaskulate
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: e/task/u/late
Sentence: Jenny had such control over Joe that she could easily etaskulate him. A planned night out at the pub with Joe's friends, or a Saturday golf game was always interrupted by Jenny's sudden urge to have him learn knitting, or help her sort her fashion magazine collection.
Etymology: ETASKULATE - VERB - from EMASCULATE (to castrate; to deprive of strength, or vigor; to weaken) + TASK
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COMMENTS:
Hysterical. Great word. - mrskellyscl, 2009-07-02: 06:05:00
I agree - hilarious! - splendiction, 2009-07-02: 21:22:00
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Engapability
Created by: melodydrama
Pronunciation: Ehn-gape-uh-bill-it-ee
Sentence: Whispering in her boyfriend's ear Jill discreetly distracted him, from the flat screen T.V. being carried outside the restaurant window, rendering him engapable.
Etymology: engage/engagement, incapability
Comments:
Today's definition is inspired by the "Joy of Incompatible Behaviors". It's Amy Sutherland's secret weapon for dealing with people who have annoying habits which they can't seem to control. The secret is not to try to stop them, but rather get them on another track. See: "What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage". Thanks Amy! ~ James
Today's definition is inspired by the "Joy of Incompatible Behaviors". It's Amy Sutherland's secret weapon for dealing with people who have annoying habits which they can't seem to control. The secret is not to try to stop them, but rather get them on another track. See: "What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage". Thanks Amy! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by amysutherland. Thank you amysutherland. ~ James