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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Remorselangst
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: re-MORSE-uhl-angst
Sentence: Seeing what she thought was vengeful aggravation in the eyes of the waiter when she complained about her dinner, Matilda experienced a huge wave of remorselangst and found herself wishing she'd just eaten the overdone steak rather than to complain about it.
Etymology: Blend of remorse, morsel, and angst
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COMMENTS:
Downright inspirational! - metrohumanx, 2008-10-28: 02:28:00
like it! - Jabberwocky, 2008-10-28: 13:01:00
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Counterattack
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: counter attack
Sentence: No sooner had Nelly complained to the insurance officer across the service desk about the poor quality of the repairer's work on her storm-damaged roof, she felt that coil of fear in her stomach. Would this woman counterattack with quick thrust of her letter opener, or was she in for a year delay in getting the ruined carpet replaced.
Etymology: counter attack (retaliation) + counter (where one obtains service in a shop or service centre)
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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Forebodianskip
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: fore/bode/ian/skip
Sentence: I experienced a powerful forebodianskip when I asked the hairdresser to cut my hair a little shorter and he took out the buzz cutters.
Etymology: forebode + skip (as in skip a heartbeat) + freudian slip
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COMMENTS:
Excellent! - Mustang, 2007-12-01: 17:33:00
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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
Shitetipper
Created by: idavecook
Pronunciation: Shit-E-Tipper
Sentence: Karen suddenly had a bad case of shitetipper after seeing her server kick over a trash can, and throw hies hairnet on the floor.
Etymology: Shitty + Tipper= Asshole
Assholesertiveness
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: ass hoel sert iv nehs
Sentence: It was incredible how much her life had changed since she had done the assholesertiveness course. Even her tastebuds were different
Etymology: assertiveness, asshole
Clereckage
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: klərekij
Sentence: Despite the fact that everything in her order was wrong, Joyce was kept quiet. She feared the clereckage that might occur if she complained.
Etymology: clerk (a person employed in an office or bank to keep records and accounts and to undertake other routine administrative duties) + wreckage (something that has been badly damaged or destroyed)
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