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.
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)
----------------------------
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
----------------------------
Petaster
Created by: Goldentongue
Pronunciation: Pe-tas-ter
Sentence: What a petaster! I'm most embarrassed, forgive Peewee he doesn't normally do that to other people, but it's quite pleasurable isn't it?
Etymology: Pet: a domestic tamed animal. Disaster: an event that causes great damage
Petrifido
Created by: sabbychankicksass
Pronunciation: pet/tra/fido
Sentence: When the neighbor's dog begins to engage in "petrifido" all over my face , I think to myself I will have to wash my face when I get home...
Etymology: the words pet, petrified and fido combined to make one word
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)
----------------------------
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
----------------------------
Dogma
Created by: ziggy41
Pronunciation: dawg-muh
Sentence: My pet's dogma caused my guests to feel quite uneased.
Etymology: Dog (standard pet) + Dogma (system of principles or standards)
Fauxpet
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: foe-pet
Sentence: as i entered the kitchen i found Mr Tibbly committing yet another fauxpet
Etymology: pet, faux pas
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
must get up earlier...great word! - Alchemist, 2007-04-27: 06:21:00
yeah.....a real crowd pleaser :) - rikboyee, 2007-04-28: 20:52:00
----------------------------
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
----------------------------
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
----------------------------
Petiquette
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: pet/i/ket
Sentence: It was a pet peeve of Sue's that every time she encountered Mark and his dog the petiquette involved substantial sniffing and licking
Etymology: etiquette + pet
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Even at the risk of you overtaking the lead I had to vote for this one. Excellent word. - petaj, 2007-04-27: 06:42:00
This one's very clever, nice job! - ziggy41, 2007-04-27: 06:51:00
Love it Jabber! - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-27: 07:54:00
----------------------------
Pettyquette
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: petty/ket
Sentence: It was a pet peeve of Sue's that every time she encountered Mark and his dog the pettyquette involved substantial sniffing and licking
Etymology: pet + etiquette + petty (contemptible)
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
PETTYQUETTE is very good.
Let me guess- mark's dog was named.....FIDO! - metrohumanx, 2008-07-04: 07:56:00
Great word - TJayzz, 2008-07-04: 12:20:00
Excellent! - Mustang, 2008-07-04: 17:13:00
Very nice. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-07-05: 06:57:00
----------------------------
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