Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. A harmless untruth, intended to comfort simple souls. v. To use a little bit a fiction to smooth over the perplexities and complexities of life.
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.
Sugarsatz
Created by: mplsbohemian
Pronunciation: SHOOG-ur-sats
Sentence: Alex realised that the president's speech about victory in the war and a glowing economy was just a pile of sugarsatz.
Etymology: sugar + ersatz (fake). The initial "sh" sound also calls to mind a certain four-letter word which often fits this definition, as well. Moreover, "sugarsatz" sounds vaguely Yiddish, from which American English derives many words that couldalsofitthebill.
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COMMENTS:
Heady ... I like that. - jedijawa, 2007-04-16: 12:54:00
Agree. I forgot what erstaz meant! - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-16: 14:30:00
From above: ersatz (fake) - mplsbohemian, 2007-04-16: 15:24:00
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Plafibo
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: pla-FEE-bo
Sentence: "What do I say?" thought Bob. That was what he had been asking himself all week. But Roxie's questions were flying faster than any of his answers were coming in to land. He needed a plafibo to allay her fears; he hoped he would find one before she found out that he had lost the tickets for their upcoming overseas trip.
Etymology: PLACEBO: ME from Latin: I shall be pleased;an innocuous or inert medication; given as a pacifier & FIB: a small trivial lie, minor falsehood.
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COMMENTS:
great - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-23: 16:03:00
Good one! - lumina, 2008-06-23: 22:55:00
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Prevaricreation
Created by: karenanne
Pronunciation: pre VARE uh cree AY shun
Sentence: When Sara asked if she were ever going to have a baby brother or sister, her mother was ready for the question. She told Sara a little prevaricreation about how she was "so special that God only gives out one like you every once in a while." Well, actually, that was kind of true, if by "special" one meant "insufferable," "obnoxious," "time-sucking," and/or "über-bratty."
Etymology: prevarication (n.: a statement that deviates from the truth; a fib) + create
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COMMENTS:
Good one - Nosila, 2009-11-03: 01:09:00
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Flubbish
Created by: mac33
Pronunciation: flub-bish
Sentence: "Fluffy's in Cat Heaven now," she said to little Susie, feeling guilty for feeding her child such blatant flubbish.
Etymology: flub - an instance of botching or bungling; failure (here failure to tell the painful truth) rubbish - nonsense (UK)
Chickenpoup
Created by: purpleartichokes
Pronunciation: chi-ken-poop
Sentence: I thought his concern was sincere when I told him of my hamster Kitty's passing. I later realized it was just chickenpoup for my soul when he suggested I flush her down the toilet.
Etymology: chicken soup for the soul; poop (as in a line of crap)
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COMMENTS:
Never understood the notion of chicken soup being comforting, cos frankly the stuff I've had has always been vile. That opined, the connotation of cowardice is good. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-16: 14:59:00
Well, after you pick out all the mushy vegetables, add more noodles, a dash of lemon and pepper, it's palatable. I guess chicken soup sounded better than Whopper with Cheese. - purpleartichokes, 2007-04-16: 15:26:00
That sounds suspiciously like actually cooking something to me. Gimme the can of cream of tomato instead. - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-16: 16:11:00
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Troolish
Created by: wurdless
Pronunciation: troo-lish
Sentence: You look great! he said troolishly
Etymology: true + foolish
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COMMENTS:
yup. everyone I know will be using this now. I love this word. - Headcrab, 2012-06-09: 04:38:00
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Placebalm
Created by: metrohumanx
Pronunciation: PLUH-CEE-BALM
Sentence: I told the panic-stricken crowd that all would be well. It was only a PLACEBALM, but it was sorely needed.
Etymology: PLACEBO-a harmless sugar pill which can have theraputic results. BALM- a soothing salve or oinment.
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COMMENTS:
Very pleasant word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-06-24: 08:12:00
Hehehe lol! GREAT create! ;) - abrakadeborah, 2009-03-25: 14:14:00
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Consolie
Created by: justinchau
Pronunciation: con-sol-lie
Sentence: I had to consolie my patient when he wanted assurance that x-rays had no radiation. I consolied the hypochondriac by assuring her the pill wasn't a placebo.
Etymology: console + lie
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COMMENTS:
Hmm, what about alieviate (alleviate + lie)? - justinchau, 2008-06-23: 05:55:00
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Foma
Created by: vonnegut
Pronunciation: fo-ma
Sentence: Nothing in this book is true. "Live by the foma* that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy." The Books of Bokonon. I: 5
Etymology: Created by Kurt Vonnegut for Cat's Cradle, published in 1963.
Placeebull
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: pla/see/bull
Sentence: 'Hard work always pays off' - a placeebull to keep workers motivated
Etymology: placebo + bull (as in bullshit) (had to put the second e in my word to emphasize sound)
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COMMENTS:
okayee - galwaywegian, 2007-04-16: 06:30:00
Ain't it the truth!?! - Sed8ed, 2007-04-16: 06:33:00
That example sounds like an alfalsism. Or a generaLIEzation. - petaj, 2007-04-16: 06:37:00
That's a great play on words! - jedijawa, 2007-04-16: 12:56:00
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Comments:
ErWenn - 2007-04-16: 08:00:00
Best verbotoon ever. So it goes, buddy, so it goes.
ErWenn - 2007-04-16: 08:20:00
Just noticed what was written on the typewriter. Ha!
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James
RE: "Best Verbotoon Ever" Thanks ErWenn! However I must say it was all inspired by KV himself. So it goes... ~ James
See the top 4 words of the day at Yeah, I'm in heaven now ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James
wurdless - 2008-07-12: 15:23:00
Vonnegut is cool!
reverb - 2008-07-12: 15:31:00
cat's cradle rocks
Today's definition was suggested by vonnegut. Thank you vonnegut. ~ James
Live it or live WITH it!