Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n., A feeling of discomfort, common while sitting on a plane or train, created by the sense that you are about to be decapitated by your fellow passengers who are tilting aggressively towards you. v. To sit in a very small space, which seems to be getting smaller.
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.
Crambivalence
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: kram-BIV-uh-luh ns
Sentence: As the 500lb Sumo wrestler quaked tectonically to and fro in the seat immediately in front of his, Bob's crambivalence faltered between the fear of being squeezy-chaired, and the hope of having a fabulous fortnight in The Philippines.
Etymology: Blend of CRAM: to press something into something else; jam or cram beyond the normal comfortable capacity, as on a plane or train & AMBIVALENCE: similar conflicting feelings; mixed feelings of uncertainty or emotion, as between safety & unsafety.
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COMMENTS:
Another good combo! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-29: 09:11:00
once again, I'm wowed by your extra words - love squeezy-chaired - Jabberwocky, 2008-01-29: 13:26:00
great word! - bananabender, 2008-01-29: 22:27:00
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Economyclasstrophobia
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: eek on oh meee klass trow fow beee aaa
Sentence: recessions mean dealing with your economyclasstrophobia.
Etymology: claustrophobia, economy class
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COMMENTS:
terrifically topical - Jabberwocky, 2008-11-20: 11:43:00
Very good. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-11-20: 16:14:00
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Claustairphobia
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: klost aer foby ya
Sentence: Kenny travelled the world by air. YEMEN, he knew the airline FRONTIER, from EASTERN to WESTJET and from CANADANORTH to the SOUTHWEST and was a very CONTINENTAL passenger. He had flown on planes from the DELTA to a LOT of countries. He'd been in the SAS, because he was BRITISH and knew the AER LINGUS fluently from each jet he'd been on. He could say ALOHA, JAL come back now,and OMAN and other words of OLYMPIC proportions. He knew which airlines served LUXAIRious meals; where the AEROFLOTation devices were;and who had VARIGreat service. One thing he hated about all airlines were the reclining seats. The right hand apparently had not known what the LUFTHANSA was thinking when they invented them. EL AL they did was cause claustairphobia for the passenger behind. Being no VIRGIN to travel, he honestly did not know how reclining your seat just 3 inches could give you a more restful sleep. He thought all passengers who hated this should stand UNITED against the airlines in solid AIRity. He had just watched "QANTAS OF Solace" on the air movie and did not know how anyone could sleep through that...
Etymology: Claustrophobia (a morbid fear of being closed in a confined space) & Air (travel via aircraft)
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COMMENTS:
FORMIDABLE! I don't think you missed a single carrier. I'm sure they miss you. - metrohumanx, 2008-11-20: 02:17:00
Has that special air flair! Your word deserves an Air Medal. - silveryaspen, 2008-11-20: 07:47:00
Cheers...always wanted to be an Air Apparent! - Nosila, 2008-11-20: 18:54:00
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Tramcram
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: tram-cram
Sentence: Jerry had to put his car in the shop. He has already used all of his personal, sick and vacation time so he has to go to work on the transit. Now he is sitting on the bench quivering at the thought of the impending tramcram.
Etymology: tram (a streetcar) + cram (to fill (something) by force with more than it can easily hold)
Decrampitation
Created by: Ghyarlae
Pronunciation: de-cram-pee-tay-shun
Sentence: The pressure of people in the metro almost choked and decrampitated me.
Etymology: crammed + decapitation
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COMMENTS:
Good word! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-30: 16:15:00
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Trishcompactor
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: trishkəmpaktər
Sentence: Patty thought her Smart car was a great idea when she first ordered it. Now, every time she looks at it, it seems to get smaller. It's even worse when she gets in and drives it anywhere. Wedged between a couple of 18-wheelers, it becomes a real Trishcompactor. Her 250-pound friend Noah refers to his as his Noahconstrictor.
Etymology: Trish (nickname for Patricia) + compactor (a device that compresses trash)
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COMMENTS:
Maybe Trish & Noah should carpool. It might bring them closer. - wayoffcenter, 2008-11-20: 06:03:00
Great pun fun with names ... a real smile awhile. - silveryaspen, 2008-11-20: 07:40:00
love Noahconstrictor - Jabberwocky, 2008-11-20: 11:40:00
I really debated with myself whether to officially enter Trishcompactor or Noahconstrictor. - artr, 2008-11-20: 12:53:00
fabulously funny -luv: noahconstrictor. Throes a diferent light on the Ark. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-11-20: 16:22:00
Love both names...plus I hate SMART cars...where would I put my purse or groceries in one??? - Nosila, 2008-11-20: 19:42:00
EGAD! That's hilarious! - metrohumanx, 2008-11-21: 08:29:00
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Lunettetic
Created by: Banky
Pronunciation: loon-net-tick
Sentence: As soon as the second obese man had settled to his right on the aisle, Roger noticed the seat in front of him. Down it crawled, inexorably lower with every passing second, wicking the sweat out of Roger, turning his hands clammy as the corpse he would inevitably become. His heart raced furiously as he calculated his escape, but it was too late; the plush polyester blade sat before him, adorned with a tacky 80s multi-color motif. So this is how it ended, huh, wedged between two Brandoesque men, a crazed lunettetic whose last meal was 5 stale pretzels.
Etymology: lunette - the portion of the guillotine that fixed the head in place, composed of two blocks each with semi-circular indentations + lunatic - an insane person
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COMMENTS:
Lunette describes Marie Antoinette ... so perfectly, your word we aren't likely to forget! Very interesting! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-29: 09:35:00
fantastic paragraph - Jabberwocky, 2008-01-29: 10:43:00
great sentence! Your word and sentence captures the essence of the definition so well. - bananabender, 2008-01-29: 18:46:00
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Unkneezy
Created by: petaj
Pronunciation: un-easy
Sentence: At 190cm tall, Jock always felt unkneezy when travelling in a plane. Every tilt of the chair in front and his knees were compressed against his seat tray.
Etymology: uneasy + knees
Confineurosis
Created by: gemmgemms
Pronunciation: cahn-fiy-ner-osis
Sentence: Just as he was getting settled on the plane the little kid behind him kicked his seat, and he was swept up in a wave of confineurosis agitated by anything, the sleeping grandpa beside him drooling on his tray table, or the pregnant women in front of him leaning all the way back.
Etymology: confine+neurosis
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COMMENTS:
sounds serious - Jabberwocky, 2008-01-29: 13:25:00
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Ampak
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: ampak
Sentence: As Monday morning approaches Jason dreads his trip on the Ampak commuter train. Never one to enjoy crowds, this rolling sardine can is no fun. He*s torn as to which is worse, standing or sitting. If he stands he is treated to breakfast on the breath of at least 6 fellow commuters, seated he gets vestiges of last night*s dinner. Phwew!
Etymology: Amtrak (a federal passenger railroad service in the U.S.) + packed (cram a large number of things into a container or space)
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COMMENTS:
Clever word that so effectively conveys the definition! - splendiction, 2010-04-19: 21:43:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by gemmgemms. Thank you gemmgemms. ~ James
silveryaspen - 2008-01-29: 09:30:00
Evocative cartoon ... crushed-people like sardines in a tinned-canny airplane with that overpowering fishy smell closing in on everything! Very clever!
Hey Silveryaspen, Thanks for the kind words. Smells like croosht shoup ~ James
Excellent word. Makes me wonder who that was and what they were chanting.
Today's definition was suggested by gemmgemms. Thank you gemmgemms. ~ James