Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n., The fear that your service representative will retaliate after you have complained. v., To be afraid of bad service because you complained about it.
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.
Retailiate
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: rēˌtālēˌāt
Sentence: Richard already felt like the bottom rung on the ladder, working as a clerk in a discount shoe store. When a customer snapped her fingers and demanding immediate attention and referring to him as "Hey you", he knew he had to retailiate. First he made sure that each shoe he brought out was a half size smaller or narrower than what she needed. The ones she really loved were always out of stock. When she finally found a pair that she could shove her hoof into, he took her purchase to the register and mis-entered her information so that the transaction was rejected and he could announce in a not-too-quiet voice, "Mam, your card has been declined, do you have another?" The look on her face made all the aggravation worth it.
Etymology: retail: the sale of goods to the public in relatively small quantities for use or consumption rather than for resale + retaliate: make an attack or assault in return for a similar attack
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COMMENTS:
I know this clerk. What a jerk! - wayoffcenter, 2008-10-28: 07:00:00
you've obviously suffered through a retail job at some time - great word - Jabberwocky, 2008-10-28: 13:02:00
Diabolical! - metrohumanx, 2008-10-28: 17:39:00
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Whinerwager
Created by: remistram
Pronunciation: why-ner-wey-jer
Sentence: Her whinerwager came true, her pasta dish that was too cold came back in a flash steaming hot with a dust bunny on top.
Etymology: whiner (complainer) + wager (risk)
Grievengeance
Created by: xirtam
Pronunciation: gree-věn'jəns
Sentence: Annabelle feared that the waiter may enact some form of grievengeance against her after she complained that her steak was overcooked.
Etymology: Grievance: a complaint or resentment. + Vengeance: Infliction of punishment in return for a wrong committed; retribution.
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COMMENTS:
Good word. - Mustang, 2007-12-01: 17:34:00
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Retrifarction
Created by: schoolmarm
Pronunciation: ret/ruh/FARK/shun
Sentence: Seconds after she mentioned her dirty spoon to the waiter, she suffered a massive retrifarction and had to be removed from the restaurant.
Etymology:
Ruexchange
Created by: zxvasdf
Pronunciation: Rue x change
Sentence: Matilda loved making ruexchanges because it placed her on the precipice of doubt and the thrill of the unknown shivered through her spine as the waiter placed the possibly reconstituted food at her table. Others are normally not so inclined to make a ruexchange out of a justifiable fear of acquiring some mysterious disease.
Etymology: Rue (to regret) & exchange (to trade in) Also a "rude" could be derived.
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COMMENTS:
makes me think of Scooby Doo - Jabberwocky, 2008-10-28: 13:03:00
Never get inclined near the precipice of doubt. ExtremeDining is too much for me.Brilliant word. Beautifully lyrical example. - metrohumanx, 2008-10-28: 17:42:00
A lumpy RUE is a valid reason to return ANY sauce. - metrohumanx, 2008-10-28: 18:00:00
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Retailiation
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: re tayl ee ay shun
Sentence: When Gerda complained to her hairdresser that she did not like the colour and cut given to her the day before, she demanded a new free colour and cut the next month. Although she feared retailiation, the hairdresser grudgingly obliged, foregoing her commission. Gerda's fears were unfounded, as purpily, uneven, fuzzy, fried hair is all the rage now!
Etymology: Retail (the selling of goods or services to consumers) & Retaliation (avenge;action taken in return for an injury or offense)
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COMMENTS:
I'll buy that! - galwaywegian, 2011-08-12: 06:24:00
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Disdress
Created by: attis
Pronunciation:
Sentence: After asking to speak to the manager, Helen was overcome with Disdress. After all, the call centre operator had her phone number!
Etymology: Distress/Redress
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COMMENTS:
cute word - Nosila, 2008-10-28: 23:48:00
...and clever:) - metrohumanx, 2008-10-29: 00:46:00
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Waitaliaphobia
Created by: flyingheadlice
Pronunciation: way-tal-i-ah-FO-bee-ah
Sentence: Leonard has determined that Sheldon does not have waitaliaphobia, as he continuously offends Penny with no fear of repercussions.
Etymology: waiter retaliation phobia
Remorsel
Created by: swallowedbyafish
Pronunciation:
Sentence: He was instantly filled with remorsel after realizing the waiter was about to go do unspeakable things to his food.
Etymology: remorse + morsel
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COMMENTS:
oops didn't mean to steal somebody else's idea...
sorry - swallowedbyafish, 2007-11-30: 22:53:00
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Fretribution
Created by: porsche
Pronunciation: Freh/tri/bu/shun
Sentence: Fretribution is rampant amongst vegetarians who request a vegan meal.
Etymology: fret + retribution
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COMMENTS:
Ooooo... nice! Quite versatile! - purpleartichokes, 2007-11-30: 13:45:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram~ James
remistram - 2007-11-30: 10:14:00
I admit - one of my paranoias....
purpleartichokes - 2007-11-30: 13:49:00
Thanks for all the great definitions Remi!
By the way, Remistram also gets a credit for yesterday's definition. She originally submitted her definition about compulsive sniffing in June, so I have added her name to the credits which she shares with kabloozie. Thanks! ~ James
silveryaspen - 2008-12-09: 01:06:00
Am I the only one confounded by the previous verbotomies being show as new ones, along with the re-run of the definition? When we go to vote for the new verbotomies, it's going to be confusing to vote for the new verbotomies instead of the old verbotomies.
logarithm - 2008-12-09: 04:24:00
A re-run, huh? I think it's ok to mix the old and new verbotomies together, and let people vote for their favourites. New verbotomies are great, but some of the old ones might still be the better ones. p/s Silveryaspen: I am back! ;-)
wayoffcenter - 2008-12-09: 05:31:00
But old games have already been decided and have major point advantages over any new entries. It stops regular contributors from playing. They already have a word entered for this contest.
logarithm - 2008-12-09: 07:02:00
It's a contest?
Hey Silvery et al, Oops! Double replay. I have now updated today's definition. See it here: Isn't it a bit early to be wearing Christmas decorations? Be creative, James
Yes, logarithm, it's a game. We have daily and weekly winners. The winning word of the day gets printed in the "b", Baltimore's free daily newspaper. See: b the paper. ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram. ~ James