Vote for the best verboticism.

'Why do you always carry that file folder?'

DEFINITION: n. A prop (e.g. papers, files or any non-functional equipment) used to create the illusion of busyness. v. To use office supplies to create the illusion that you are working.

Create | Read

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.

Work-o-the-wisprop

ohwtepph

Created by: ohwtepph

Pronunciation: wohrk-oh-thuh-wiz-prop

Sentence: Oh god, that Ben has been such a work-o-the-wispropper ever since he started out in the business of being the business supervisor. The work-o-the-wisprop he carried around were very convincing: papers to be signed, a neat brown folder and a clipboard with Transformers scribbles on it.

Etymology: will-o-the-wisp [illusion] + work + prop + wiz [the best at something e.g. a math wiz]

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

good one! - pguse, 2007-06-13: 10:04:00

ohwtepph thanks. :D - ohwtepph, 2007-06-13: 10:28:00

It's a good one and I voted for you! - Stevenson0, 2007-06-13: 17:36:00

How did you get that punctuation in there? - mplsbohemian, 2007-06-13: 19:43:00

you can work all sorts of magic if you go into 'oops i want to change the spelling' bit of the edit section.... it makes things much more verbsatile - rikboyee, 2007-06-13: 22:23:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Slothouflage

Created by: bigdog

Pronunciation: slawth-o-flazhe

Sentence: The piles of paper on my desk are all just slothouflage to stop the boss from seeing my pillow and scotch bottle.

Etymology: sloth (indolence) + camouflage (disguise)

| Comments and Points

Mockpetit

Created by: scrabbelicious

Pronunciation: Mock-pet-eet

Sentence: Mike liked the comfort of a mockpetit, I suppose it satisfied his amateur-actor workplace persona.

Etymology: Noun, a hybrid of the noun Mock (fake) and petite meaning small and toy-like.

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

metrohumanx OOh- double word score! very good. - metrohumanx, 2008-08-06: 16:35:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Fauxsimile

Created by: ryanpetie

Pronunciation: foh-sim-ill-lay

Sentence: Darren gathered his fauxsimiles and strode around the office like a man possessed. 'A few more laps,' he thought, 'and I could be managing partner.'

Etymology: faux/facsimile

| Comments and Points

Maskqueraid

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: mask/ur/ade

Sentence: No one knew which department he worked in but with his maskqueraid of blackbery and wireless headset he easily passed his day wandering and betting on horses

Etymology: masquerade + mask + aid

| Comments and Points

Fauxport

Created by: cpeterc

Pronunciation: Fo - Port

Sentence: "Wait - I'll never make it past Mr. Big's office without a Fauxport, This folder will do."

Etymology: Faux = faxe or simulated Port from Passport a document that allows you to travel freely.

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

metrohumanx Your papers, please.... - metrohumanx, 2008-08-06: 16:48:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Pendupe

sanssouci

Created by: sanssouci

Pronunciation: pen doop

Sentence: "I think I am going to pendupe for a while, I can't be botherd to do anymore work today but don't want Mr Stone to think I'm not pulling my weight in the office."

Etymology: pen - any of various instruments for writing or drawing with ink or a similar substance. A pen is a writing implement," c.1300, from O.Fr. penne "quill pen, feather," dupe - to make a dupe of; deceive; delude; trick. Dupe orriginates from 1680s, from Fr. dupe "deceived person," from M.Fr. duppe (early 15c.), thieves' jargon, probably from phrase de huppe "of the hoopoe," an extravagantly crested and reputedly stupid bird.

| Comments and Points

Fobject

Created by: Rhyme79

Pronunciation: fob-jekt

Sentence: Shuffling papers whilst wearing my glasses on the end of my nose is the most effective combination of fobjects I have found. It creates the illusion that I'm actually doing what I'm paid to do.

Etymology: Fob -(as in 'fob off', deceive or dupe) + object = fobject

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

Short and snappy - I could use this. :) - Discoveria, 2012-09-26: 12:14:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Officade

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: aw-fuh-sahd

Sentence: Stanley likes to make everybody think he is the most productive member of his team. He creates a smokescreen by creating an officade of papers and folders that practically obscure his window and keep prying eyes from seeing how little actual work he does.

Etymology: office (a room, set of rooms, or building where the business of a commercial or industrial organization or of a professional person is conducted) + facade (a superficial appearance or illusion of something)

| Comments and Points

Tomfilery

Created by: Wordotwist

Pronunciation: Tom fie la ree

Sentence: Zain was an expert at timefilery;always carrying about a load of files and walking rapidy when moving in front of the boss's window - to give the impression he was very busy.

Etymology: from tomfoolery

| Comments and Points

Show All or More...

 

Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-06-13: 00:01:00
The "S" in Timothy Johnson's GUST stands for Strategy. And strategy is key! Especially if you are trying to get way with doing nothing. Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram and Timothy! ~ James

Rebekah - 2009-11-05: 18:33:00
Protaskinate

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2010-01-07: 00:38:00
Today's definition was suggested by remistram. Thank you remistram. ~ James