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.
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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Geneticat
Created by: CharlieB
Pronunciation: jen-et-ee-cat
Sentence: Miss Smythe was rather embarrased when Felix spayed the furniture in front of her guests. But she accepted that it was part of her puss's geneticat.
Etymology: genetic (influenced by genes) + cat (a domesticated feline) + etiquette (a code for social behaviour)
Humplegitis
Created by: ratbastid
Pronunciation: Hum-pla-GIE-tis
Sentence: Much to the chagrin of everyone around him, Lester's dog has a serious case of humplegitis.
Etymology: Should be pretty clear, tragically enough.
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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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
Petabarrassment
Created by: totalyclipse
Pronunciation: pet a barr assment
Sentence: He was diagnosed with petabarrassment.
Etymology: Said to be from Greek penta (five) with the middle letter removed, as if the previously coined prefix tera- had been formed in the same way from Greek tetra (four).
Fur pas
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: ferr-pah
Sentence: His dog burying its face into his new girlfriends groin was an embarrassing Fur Pas
Etymology: Fur, Faux Pas
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)
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
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