Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. A tool which has been re-purposed and is now being used (perhaps unsafely) to perform a completely different function. v. To use a tool for a different purpose than for which it was originally designed.
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.
Flybomb
Created by: QuantumMechanic
Pronunciation: FLY bom
Sentence: He could not get the school kids to stay off his lawn, so he pulled a flybomb and mowed his yard every morning at 8am, throwing grass clippings at them.
Etymology: From setting off a bomb to kill a fly, destroying the whole room in the process.
Dimprovise
Created by: FreakyDeak
Pronunciation: Dimm-pro-vize
Sentence:
Etymology: Dim + Improvise
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
like it ! - galwaywegian, 2010-09-21: 03:22:00
----------------------------
Overskilsaw
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: oh-ver-skil-saw
Sentence: Susan is not one to shy away from a challenge. Her father always told her, "if something doesn't work don't force it, get a bigger hammer". With that in mind Susan goes after her "need-to-be-trimmed" nails with her overskilsaw.
Etymology: overkill (an excess of what is required or suitable, as because of zeal or misjudgment) + Skilsaw (popular brand of circular saw)
Skimprovise
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: SKIM-pro-vyz
Sentence: Even at risk of life and limb in using tools and devices dangerously to save a few pennies, Maribel would often skimprovise, sometimes even endangering those around her.
Etymology: Blend of 'skimp' (To provide for or supply inadequately; be stingy with) and 'improvise' (to make, provide, or arrange from whatever materials are readily available)
Oooooooooohtensil
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: ooooooooooh ten sihl
Sentence: with one quick twist of the pliers and the addition of an electric motor. the kitchen utensil became an oooooooooooohtensil.
Etymology: utensil, oooooooooh
Toolfoolery
Created by: mweinmann
Pronunciation: tool + fool +uree
Sentence: It is toolfoolery to think that you can use a rezorblade as a screwdriver, a wrench as a hammer or a chainsaw as a scissors. Injury can often occur and body parts can be broken, mangled or lost.
Etymology: Tool + Fool + Tomfoolery >> Tool (A device or process that is used to do some kind of work) Fool (a person who lacks good judgment) Tomfoolery (folly: foolish or senseless behavior)
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Love the way it captures the way we go toolin' around. Excellent creation! - silveryaspen, 2009-03-09: 11:11:00
----------------------------
Electrocutilize
Created by: karenanne
Pronunciation: ee lek tro CYU til ize
Sentence: Stumpy likes to electrocutilize power tools for more mundane purposes. Last year, he electrocutilized his belt sander to polish his shoes - while he was still wearing them. That's why his nickname is Stumpy.
Etymology: electrocute + utilize
Twingineering
Created by: Banky
Pronunciation: /TWNJNRNK/
Sentence: Carol's use of the wiffleball bat, a feral cat, and 22 binder clips in her perverse twingineering experiment resulted in the summoning of no less than three ambulances to attend to the neighbor who was mistaken for a burglar.
Etymology: twin + engineering (as if you hadn't already figured that out...)
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
terrific - Jabberwocky, 2009-03-09: 13:53:00
got a big laugh from the things you chose to twingineer. Excellent word! - silveryaspen, 2009-03-09: 14:15:00
Good word. - kateinkorea, 2009-03-09: 18:42:00
I twin-ge with laughter! - Nosila, 2009-03-09: 22:55:00
----------------------------
Heterotoolio
Created by: Wampeter
Pronunciation: He-ter-o-tool-io
Sentence: "I cannot find the corkscrew. Watch out for thís screw instead, its my Heterotoolio!"
Etymology: Hetero: lat. different io: onomatopoesia
Mixmasterplumber
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: mix/mas/tur/plum/ur
Sentence: "Honey - this mixmasterplumber is working like a dream with the plug in the toilet and I'll be done in time for you to finish making the birthday cake."
Etymology: Mixmaster + master plumber
----------------------------
COMMENTS:
Yikes! - kateinkorea, 2009-03-09: 18:34:00
----------------------------
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by metrohumanx. Thank you metrohumanx. ~ James
Thank YOU, James Gang...for the excellent illustrations! ARS LONGA VITA BREVIS! MetrohumanX
And thank you metrohumanx, for supplying so many wonderfully prickly ideas! ~ James
yellowbird - 2009-03-09: 20:52:00
Just the cartoon made me smile. No need to read the words today!
Today's definition was suggested by metrohumanx. Thank you metrohumanx. ~ James