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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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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Rampantransit
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: ram pan tranzit
Sentence: Ricky often wondered, just for the halibut, how much deeper a sleep the passenger in front could possibly get by going 3 inches back to encroach on his tiny space???
Etymology: rampant (uncontrolled) & transit (passage or journey)
Crammuter
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: kramyoōtr
Sentence: More and more people are using the public transit system. This increase has left Tom feeling like a crammuter. He was used to a quick snack on his way to work but the crowding has made him a sardiner.
Etymology: cram (put something quickly or roughly into something that is or appears to be too small to contain it) + commuter (traveler)
Claustrofied
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: closs - truh -fide
Sentence: Knowing he was unable to leave the plane and truly frightened by the weird chanting of the strange looking person in the seat next to him, Chauncey was thoroughly claustrofied.
Etymology: Mix of claustrophobia and terrified
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COMMENTS:
It's got a good ring to it. - ErWenn, 2008-01-29: 07:05:00
Chauncey probably progressed to being claustrof[r]ied! Fun word! - bananabender, 2008-01-29: 21:59:00
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Repososis
Created by: DaddyNewt
Pronunciation: ree/po/ZO/sis
Sentence: Larry felt a twinge of repososis as he took the window seat behind the sleepy sumo wrestler.
Etymology: repose + neurosis
Economisery
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /i-kon-uh-miz'-uh-ree/
Sentence: Before the technology stock bubble burst, Richard had always flown first-class, but now, crammed into the back with the rest of the average Joe's, he was nearly overcome with economisery, and recumbentrauma caused by the seat in front of him reclining back so suddenly that he dropped his meager ration of peanuts, and couldn't bend down to retrieve them.
Etymology: economy - Economy class; the cheapest class of travel accomodations (from Greek, oikonomíā "household") + misery - wretchedness of condition or circumstances (from Latin, miseria, equiv. to miser "wretched")
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COMMENTS:
clever blend! - bananabender, 2008-01-29: 22:23:00
Really brings out the miserly feelings in this definitions! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-29: 23:59:00
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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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Encroachaphobia
Created by: Redrover
Pronunciation:
Sentence: Ralph was so freaked when he flew coach when the passenger in front of him reclined his seat that he was forced to spend the money and fly first class.
Etymology: encroach - to trespass upon the property, domain, or rights of another, esp. stealthily or by gradual advances; phobia - a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it
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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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