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.
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)
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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Claustract
Created by: ErWenn
Pronunciation: /ˌklɔsˈtɹækt/ /klaws-TRACT/
Sentence: I was certain that the walls had started to claustract on me and I suddenly knew what James Bond must feel like.
Etymology: from Latin claustrum "a bolt, place shut in" + English contract "to draw together"
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COMMENTS:
Claustraction might be cause to unsheath James Bonds claws in the jaws of such a death trap. Your sentence sure gives a strong image to your creation! Interesting! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-29: 09:53:00
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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
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)
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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Seatraction
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: seet/trak/shun
Sentence: Whenever John flew and had to sit in the middle isle, Murphy's Law of seatraction always seemed to come into play. On either side of him twin 300 pounders always made him feel cozy and crushed for the full six hour flight.
Etymology: SEATRACTION - from - SEAT + CONTRACTION
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COMMENTS:
Who needs a seatbelt, eh? Good Word! - Nosila, 2008-11-20: 19:13:00
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Boeingconstrictor
Created by: bookowl
Pronunciation: bow/ing/constrictor
Sentence: I got swallowed up by a boeingconstrictor on my last flight.
Etymology: boeing aircraft + boa constrictor
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COMMENTS:
Hilarious! lol! - bananabender, 2008-01-29: 18:38:00
great wordplay. There's also the tight constricted feeling for your etymology too. - bananabender, 2008-01-29: 21:45:00
Good one, bookowl! If the passenger is not sitting on the aisle, would that make them a window viper? - Nosila, 2008-01-29: 22:48:00
Great word for all the planes with their cramped seating ... Right on! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-29: 23:57:00
Clever & funny! Good word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-30: 16:14:00
Good one! - chaiandallthatjazz, 2008-01-31: 10:55:00
Did you hear about the man who crossed a parrot with a boa constrictor. He didn't know what he got, but believe me, when it talks-he listens. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-02-05: 19:44:00
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Cramsportation
Created by: karenanne
Pronunciation: kramz por TAY shun
Sentence: Packer didn't know what was a worse or more crowded way of getting to his relatives' house for the holidays, StuffWest Airlines or the JamTrak train. He considered driving the ten hours just to cut down on the physical and olfactory invasion to his personal space. Finally, his family decided on having their Thanksgiving dinner by computer conferencing. It was cheaper, and more importantly, it cut down on disputes and drama!
Etymology: cram + transportation
Spacemodicum
Created by: jajsr
Pronunciation: sp-a-s-mow-di-come
Sentence: Unaware of her actions, Beth's tiredness make John experience some first class spacemodicum.
Etymology:
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