Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. Embarrassing pet behavior; may be perfectly natural for the pet, but often makes humans feel self-conscious or ill at ease. v. To be embarrassed by your pet's beahviour
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.
Prehumptuous
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /pri-HUHMP-choo-uhs/
Sentence: After his incarceration in 'the pen', and his subsequent release into society, Fido displayed behavior that could only be described as prehumptuous. Fido's owner, Owen, could scarcely have a date drop by his apartment, or even his own mother, without Fido first pawing and then birddogging them. Needless to say, that made for some quite embarrassing visits.
Etymology: Presumptuous - impertinently bold behavior; forwardness (from Latin, præsumere "to take beforehand") & Hump - [as in 'humping'] a bad pet habit often displayed by canines; and particularly Fido! (slang origin of the word is uncertain; first published use in 1785)
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COMMENTS:
Great words this week everyone. Been travelling a lot, so I know this is way late, but I couldn't help adding my complaints about that absolute hound, Fido. Sorry metro, but he really is a "Bad Dog!!" - Tigger, 2008-07-06: 03:46:00
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Nonmannerism
Created by: ekath
Pronunciation: non-man-er-ism
Sentence: My dog's most striking nonmannerism is her tendency to rub her butt on the stairs (for some obscure medical reason). My little brother, watching this, tried to imitate her and ended up getting carpet burn on his rear.
Etymology: from non + "man" + mannerism
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COMMENTS:
That story is so funny it must be true! - wordmeister, 2007-04-28: 22:49:00
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Slurpetedness
Created by: christinepucser
Pronunciation: slur pet ed ness
Sentence: I do not like to expose my friends to my best friend's habit, slurpetedness.
Etymology:
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COMMENTS:
vote for me please - christinepucser, 2007-04-28: 13:53:00
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Faunagaffe
Created by: metrohumanx
Pronunciation: FA-NUH-GAF
Sentence: Rescued from an animal shelter in her youth, KATIECAT returned my affection by killing a rabbit and bringing it home. The neighborhood children were grossed out by this feline FAUNAGAFFE, but they're sure to experience many more examples of misguided animal behavior as they grow up.
Etymology: FAUNA-animals in general + GAFFE- a socially inappropriate act or faux pas (Fr- false step)
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COMMENTS:
True story-exceeded only by the boorish behavior of irresponsible pet owner apologists whose permissive approach to animal discipline results in the alarming rise of leg-humping incidents, pit bull attacks and random neighborhood defecation incidents.
- metrohumanx, 2008-07-04: 07:40:00
verbotomists really struck a nerve with all the FIDO references today - we are into the dogdays of summer though so not surprising you would get so dogmatic about it - love your word btw - Jabberwocky, 2008-07-04: 10:33:00
Metro, do you really want us to BIRDen you with CATastrophic tails of PETophilia? As a proud owner of many species, we all know that the little rascals are capable of many ASPects of antihuman social behavior.I could get HORSE talking about my experiences on this animal planet, but truly dogs do drool the most, even though hamsters are gnawty, guinea pigs squeal on you, bunnies carrot not a bit about your feelings, turtles are shell-shocked, lizards lounge at will and fish annoy you just for the halibut. Budgies won't budge, canaries sing to the authorities and cats, well they'd be good poker players, not a shred of emotion shown on their smug faces. But keep up the good words...we are all fauned of you! - Nosila, 2008-07-05: 00:16:00
Seems like Katiecat's faunagaffe is largely fawnagaffe. Another top word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-07-05: 06:54:00
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Animtendis
Created by: Ellemorpheus
Pronunciation: An-M-Ten-dis
Sentence: His dog's animtendis ensured that his date ended, abruptly, after it began.
Etymology: anim-animal tend-tendency synonym of instinct dis- negative, to move awayfrom
Hypersnorgascity
Created by: verysimplegame
Pronunciation: hi-pur-snore-gah-ci-tee
Sentence: Prince's hypersnorgacity manifested itself infrequently, but when it did, Beth knew no Wet-Wipes™ could clean the stains from her soul.
Etymology: Hyper+snorgle+acity
Crotchety
Created by: lumina
Pronunciation: crotch/itty
Sentence: Rumor has it that Doug and Fido had been banned from the dog park due to many complaints. It seems Fido was becoming more and more crotchety. So much so that even men started to call in complaints.
Etymology: I think it's obvious. :)
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COMMENTS:
If you think FIDO was despicable, you should meet ROVER!
CROTCHETY is very apt, but why is it always about sex? - metrohumanx, 2008-07-04: 07:58:00
great twist to the word - Jabberwocky, 2008-07-04: 10:39:00
Who we gonna call? Crotchbusters. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-07-05: 07:01:00
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Chewgrined
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: chew-grinned
Sentence: "Puppies will be puppies," Dan thought when Abbey, his new labrador retriever pup chewed up his shoes, gloves, daughter's homework, carpet, furniture and woodwork; however, he was really chewgrined when his neighbor came to inquire about his cat.
Etymology: chew + chagrined: feeling or caused to feel uneasy and self-conscious
Cringelick
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: KRINJ-lick
Sentence: Roxie spoke calmly; but as I looked at her countenance I observed a strange expression pass over it. "Are you in pain, Roxie?" I asked. " Not exactly, Bob," she answered; though I don't wish to alarm you by telling what Fido is about to do. As I watched Fido, muddy paws and all, was quickly making his way towards a lady dressed from head to toe in pink. In the next second, to my horror, his tail wagging fawnishly, and with his paws placed firmly on her waist, he planted his slobbery tongue on her chin. Although there was nothing I could do that was likely to do any good; but, by way of an apology, I try to explain to her about Fido's friendly zanimality for persons dressed in pink; whilst, at the same time, hoping that my love for Fido would carry me through this attack of cringelick, or whatever it was.
Etymology: CRINGE: To draw one's self together as in fear or crouch with base humility; to wince & LICK: to pass the tongue over the surface of, as to moisten, taste, or eat. ZANIMALITY: zany & animal & -ity.
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COMMENTS:
VERY creative Ozziebob.
But as FIDO's attorney, I must inform you that character assasination is prohibited by law.
FIDO has paid for his crimes and is prevented from obtaining gainful employment by these constant media attacks on his character.
I appeal to the pubic's sense of fair play and implore you to stop dragging FIDO's name through the mud and bringing it inside covered in dog saliva and leaving it on my good rug.... - metrohumanx, 2008-07-04: 08:06:00
I love zanimality too - Jabberwocky, 2008-07-04: 10:38:00
I have heard of other dogs who do this. Perhaps there's a cringelick epizootic? - Mustang, 2008-07-04: 17:12:00
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Petifoul
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: pet/i/fowl
Sentence: Fred's dog, Fido, always sniffs, licks and slobbers when he meets people. Fido is a petifoul. Anybody who has been petifouled, hates petifoulers.
Etymology: pet + foul
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COMMENTS:
Poor Fido's really copping a hammering today. Does anyone actually know someone with a dog called Fido? - petaj, 2007-04-27: 21:31:00
I know someone with a phone called fido... - wordmeister, 2007-04-29: 06:03:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by purpleartichokes.
Thank you purpleartichokes! ~ James
Yes the rumors are true. This week we are offering the The Verbotomy Cup as prize for the top player of the week. See details on the Verbotomy Blog ~ James
Jabberwocky - 2007-04-27: 12:54:00
Hi Verbotomy, Those cups (mugs)are really great. Would it be possible for any of us to purchase ones even if we don't win?
Hi Jabberwocky, Glad you like the Verbotomy Cup! It is our wampeter, and as such I don't think we would sell it, because that might turn it into a MacGuffin. ~ James
Is it our waxing or waning wampeter? What's the other one (since a karass always has exactly two wampeters)?
I believe it is still waxing. And think that Dan Pink's right brain is the other wampeter. ~ James
mana1066 - 2007-05-06: 23:04:00
some of that went right over my head. whine! i want a cup too!
Quit a tail from the punster extrordinaire! Poor FIDO is the Lee Harvey Oswald of doggie misbehavior.
Today's definition was suggested by purpleartichokes. Thank you purpleartichokes. ~ James