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...
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Petsniff
Created by: remistram
Pronunciation: pet - sniff
Sentence: Out of the corner of her eye, Peg knew she was going to be petsniffed by Coco as he stared longingly at her derriere.
Etymology: pet (domestic animal, as in dog) sniff (to perceive by or as by smelling)
Poochsmooch
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: pooch smooch
Sentence: Rory's big dog was good at giving a poochsmooch to anyone he met. That's probably why he called him Kissingrrr.
Etymology: Pooch (pet dog)& Smooch (enthusiastic kiss)
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)
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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
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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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Profaunation
Created by: airlie
Pronunciation: pro-FAW-nay-shun
Sentence: Eleanor lunged backwards as Fido's attentions elevated from a friendly tail wag to intense profaunation. As though talking to Jed wasn't difficult enough, with his intense staring and too-friendly shoulder rubs and sneaky thigh touches, now his dog was invading her space. Feeling violated, Eleanor exclaimed to Jed, "Help! Your dog is trying to kiss me!" Jed snickered, and grabbed Fido's leash. "Down Fido! Down!" he exclaimed. "Sorry," he said, halfheartedly. "He's just very friendly." Eleanor wondered what else Fido and Jed had in common...
Etymology: PROFANATION: the act of profaning; desecration; defilement; debasement (PROFANE: to misuse something that should be held in reverence or respect) + FAUNA: the animals of a given region or period considered as a whole
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COMMENTS:
great word - hey metro - you missed one - Jabberwocky, 2008-07-04: 10:26:00
Terrific. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-07-05: 07:12:00
PROFAWNATION's nice- but it could be misinterpreted as a nation populated by professional adolescent whitetail deer.....?
Which are SURE to be chased by......FIDO! - metrohumanx, 2008-07-05: 10:19:00
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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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Fauxpaw
Created by: daisy
Pronunciation: fo-pah
Sentence: Yes, Mr. Whiskers has a little problem with the humping, pardon his fauxpaw.
Etymology:
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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Fidodidoes
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: Fye - doe - DYE - doze
Sentence: The overly friendly and boisterous fidodidoes of his dog, Charlie, when visitors came around, had caused great consternation for Worthington and had even gotten to the point where he was considering getting rid of Charlie or abandoning his desire to entertain friends and coworkers.
Etymology: Blend of Fido (generic dog name) and didoes (mischievous tricks; pranks; antics)
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COMMENTS:
FIDODIDOES is very creative. But why restrict ourselves to criticism of canine-americans? This smacks of rampant specieism.
Love the word, though.
Good work, MUSTANG! - metrohumanx, 2008-07-04: 07:43:00
fun to say - Jabberwocky, 2008-07-04: 10:34:00
Very interesting combination. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-07-05: 07:06:00
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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