Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n., A "talent" for which an individual takes a great deal of personal pride, even though it is just a common, mundane skill that almost everyone can do. v., To take pride in a special talent which in fact is not special at all.
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.
Insignifinesse
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /in-sig-ni'-fi-ness/
Sentence: Shouts of "Watch this, Mom! Watch what I can do!" could be heard repeated for hours on end at the community swimming pool, as little Jerome practiced swimming underwater, although all he was really doing was putting his head under the water for a few seconds and wiggling convulsively. His mother, of course, saw this insignifinesse as the makings of a future Olypian.
Etymology: insignificance - lacking importance or consequence (from Latin, in- "non" significāre "signal") + finesse - skill in handling a difficult task; an artful maneuver (from Old French, fin "subtle, delicate")
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COMMENTS:
Great word! - Mustang, 2008-01-25: 16:58:00
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Vaptitude
Created by: ErWenn
Pronunciation: /ˈvæptəˌtud/ /VAPP-tuh-Tood/
Sentence: Occasionally someone comes along who can do something something ordinary with extraordinary elegance and effectiveness, but most of the time, it's just vaptitude.
Etymology: From vapid + aptitude
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COMMENTS:
sad but true - Jabberwocky, 2008-01-25: 15:23:00
Good word! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-25: 15:32:00
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Mediosyncrasy
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: mēdēōsingkrəsē
Sentence: The comedy talent program was so concerned about being non-offensive that it became a major case of mediosyncrasy. The jokes may have been delivered by unusual, interesting comedians but the pre-screened material was so banal that several members of the audience dozed off.
Etymology: mediocre (of only moderate quality; not very good) + ideosyncrasy (a mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual)
Pomproud
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: pämproud
Sentence: Bobby's parents were pomproud of every little thing he did. They would praise him when he tied his own shoes. They would laud his ability to fix his own breakfast. The fact that Bobby is a college graduate doesn't seem to deter their enthusiasm.
Etymology: pompous (affectedly and irritatingly grand, solemn, or self-important) + proud (feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction)
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COMMENTS:
Excellent word. Sad yet funny. - metrohumanx, 2008-11-21: 08:27:00
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Proudindulgence
Created by: kmartinmt
Pronunciation: proud-in-dul-gence
Sentence: " had what you would call a Proudindulgence in the art of eating food."
Etymology:
Pridarded
Created by: lebeast
Pronunciation: pry-darded
Sentence: 'That woman was outwardly pridarded, did you see how she tied her shoe like she invented it? Like come onnnnnnnn!'
Etymology:
Quotalendian
Created by: thegoatisbad
Pronunciation: quo-'ta-lend-en
Sentence: Kimberly had such a flair for parallel parking, she sometimes considered putting in on her resume, even though nobody else was as impressed as she. "A lot of people struggle with it" she bragged, "but I've always been able to park with just one try. Just one of those everyday skills." Zinnia, unimpressed with Kimberly's quotalendian, asked "Just one of what everyday skills?" Annoyed, Kimberly responded "Just one of those everyday skills that I have and you don't" while marching back to her desk full of cheese. Amused, Zinnia muttered "Oh, I didn't realize parallel parking was a social skill."
Etymology: Quotidian (every day) + Talent (special skill)
Savaint
Created by: MsPettyAdams
Pronunciation: sav-aynt
Sentence: "Jeff can peel an orange in one whole strip! He's a genius!" "Yes, darling, lucky you, your husband is an absolute savain't."
Etymology: French term savant, meaning "learned person" combined with African American vernacular term ain't, meaning "is not"
Wingurgitate
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: win gurj it ayt
Sentence: No one could wingurgitate like Little Bobby Eatmore (he was called after his Daddy, Big Bobby Eatmore, not just cuzza his size). Little Bobby could out-eat anyone. He did it at home and he entered food eating contests. The Great Kobayashi (most-food-eating-contest-winner) was awed by Little Bobby. No one worried about Little Bobby's size, nutrition or health, his parents were more focussed on cutting an A&E reality series deal about their little oinker, tentatively titled, "Hello, Gorge-Us"!
Etymology: Win (attain success or reach a desired goal) & Ingurgitate (overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself)
Nilskill
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: nil skil
Sentence: Little Johnny's doting parents were so proud of his talents. His overeating was a particular nilskill that they had fed and nourished over the years. Being chubby and hungry themselves, they encouraged him to overeat at every opportunity. They did not realize that he had developed his nilskill so well that left alone for over an hour without food, he might even gnaw off his own foot!
Etymology: Nil (nothing, zero) & Skill (ability acquired by training, talent, aptitude)
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by zebrahdh. Thank you zebrahdh. ~ James
zebrahdh - 2008-01-25: 05:24:00
When I suggested this one, I just knew it was a winner! :)
Today's definition was suggested by zebrahdh. Thank you zebrahdh. ~ James