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.
Panicacea
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: pan/i/ca/see/ya
Sentence: I was filled with panicacea when the dentist offered the alternative anesthetic when I adamantly refused the first foot long needle.
Etymology: panic + panacea (universal remedy)
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COMMENTS:
Yikes! Clever combo! - metrohumanx, 2008-10-28: 17:45:00
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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:
Spitaworry
Created by: LotusB
Pronunciation: SPIT-a-wor-ee
Sentence:
Etymology: Spit + Worry = Spitaworry
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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Sabophobic
Created by: logarithm
Pronunciation: sa.bo·fo.bik sab′ə fo bIk
Sentence:
Etymology: Sabotage - A deliberate act of destruction or disruption in which equipment is damaged. Phobic - suffering from irrational fears.
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COMMENTS:
Sabophobic is real textbook material. - metrohumanx, 2008-11-19: 20:27:00
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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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Phalloutbia
Created by: thegoatisbad
Pronunciation: Fal-out-be-ah
Sentence: Zinnia's diet had a few restrictions: "I can't eat oil, flour, meat or milk" she explained. Her tenancy to send back food that wasn't clearly a raw fruit or vegetable horrified Kimberly. "I would never send something back to the Kitchen. Do you know what goes on back there? Hatred, spit and vengeance." But Kimberly's warning meant nothing to Zinnia, "No phalloutbia is as strong as my desire to feel thin."
Etymology: fallout (effect, repercussion) + phobia (fear of)
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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Maitredread
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: may-tra-dread
Sentence: While vacationing in Jamaica, Jen had maitredread after complaining about the entre to the headwaiter. She couldn't understand what he said, but when he returned the dish there was a garnish that looked suspiciously like something they warned her about in health class.
Etymology: maitre d: master of a restaurant who is in charge of the overall dining experience of the customers + dread: fearful or distasteful anticipation + dreads: natural hairstyle found in Jamaica and other islands where the hair is twisted into long ropelike braids symbolizing religious spirituality and ethnic identity
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