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.

Phantofiles

Created by: Stevenson0

Pronunciation: fan/tuh/files

Sentence: John had six different coloured sets of phantofiles he alternated at various times of the day to keep 'The Man' off his case and to demonstrate his industriousness and multitasking abilities. "Damn, he's good!" thought his boss. "He's completed three different projects today and it's only noon." John's phantofiles put him in line for a raise.

Etymology: phantom + files

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

hmm - good ploy - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-13: 10:53:00

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

| 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

Fileofaux

Created by: TJayzz

Pronunciation: Fy-el-o-foe

Sentence: Tarquin never went anywhere without his fileofaux, he wanted everyone to think he was extremely busy doing a very important job, when really he was just loafing around doing as little as possible.

Etymology: File(a folder for keeping loose papers in order) + Faux(artificial,imitation) ORIGIN French false = Fileofaux. See also filofax(a loose-leaf notebook for recording notes) ORIGIN representing a colloquial pronunciation of file of facts

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

Fawny collision of meanings there TJ. Good word! - scrabbelicious, 2008-08-06: 06:48:00

metrohumanx File a foe under fiendish! - metrohumanx, 2008-08-06: 16:25:00

Great minds think alike...I had toyed with that word as well...isn't that fauxbulous! - Nosila, 2008-08-06: 21:52:00

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

| 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

Escaperwork

Created by: Discoveria

Pronunciation: ess-KAY-pur-wurk

Sentence: Just before weekly staff meetings, Joe's pile of escaperwork would grow to include three reports, two manila envelopes, a stapler and a large black binder labelled 'URGENT'.

Etymology: escape (to avoid) + paperwork (documents)

| 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

Smartphony

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: smärtfōnē

Sentence: Tom can always be seen with his smartphony in hand. It gives him the air of being up on current technology. He has never read an e-mail on it. He has never made or received a phone call. The truth is that he barely understands how to turn it on.

Etymology: smartphone (a mobile phone that incorporates a PDA) + phony (not genuine; fraudulent)

| Comments and Points

Busybobbin

Created by: mplsbohemian

Pronunciation: BIHZ-ee-bahb-ihn

Sentence: The stack of files and papers at Alex's desk proved to be a most effective busybobbin, as no-one knew about his large Lego fort he was constructing behind it.

Etymology: busy + bobbin (trinket) + busybody

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

Grr, I meant bauble, not bobbin. Oh, well. - mplsbohemian, 2007-06-13: 22:30:00

Sounds good either way. - ErWenn, 2007-06-13: 23:54:00

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

| 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

Bossacoy

Created by: abrakadeborah

Pronunciation: boss-a-coy

Sentence: In order for Bob to fool his boss...he would often walk around with his trusty bossacoy to look busy.

Etymology: Boss-Manager. Part of "Decoy" - Someone or something used to draw attention away from another.

| 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