Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n., A set of product instructions, or a warning label, which is so obviously self-evident that it should be completely unnecessary. v., To provide unneeded directions, advice and/or warnings.
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.
Redundinstructions
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: ree dun din struk shuns
Sentence: One of the main problems with globalization (besides losing jobs in developed countries) is that buying manufactured goods abroad leaves you at the mercy of the person translating the directions for use into the English language. One such example of these redundinstructions was a little plastic kitchen tool Henry bought called a Real Remon Sqweezer. Written on a piece of paper inside the little box containing this tool were the words: "Push tool inside the lemon's skin and turn the apple right until the orange juice comes running out of the onion. Wash off tool before seizing another fruit".
Etymology: Redundant ( more than is needed, desired, or required;repetition of same sense in different words; superfluous) & Instructions ( a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it)
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COMMENTS:
Oh man. I didn't see this one. Either we did it simultaneously or, dang, I need to drain some more of that morning oil. - zxvasdf, 2008-11-05: 10:48:00
No problem,z, great minds think alike!! - Nosila, 2008-11-05: 21:41:00
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Caveabsurdigious
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: kah-vey-ab-sur-di-gous
Sentence: The folks in legal, being highly tagmatic, applied caveabsurdigious directions to every product to protect the company from lawsuits that may come due to accidents or death by stupidity.
Etymology: caveat: legalese term for warning, caution; an explanation or qualification + absurd:ridiculously unreasonable or illogical + litigious: tending to engage in lawsuits
Binstructions
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: binstrəkshənz
Sentence: Many products come with grinstructions, directions that are so ludicrous that you have to laugh. Others, especially those from power tools, have grimstructions with their graphic depictions of severed limbs. Ultimately all are binstructions, destined or a quick trip to the recycle container.
Etymology: bin (a receptacle in which to deposit trash or recyclables) + instructions (detailed information telling how something should be done, operated, or assembled)
Knowshow
Created by: paintergrl1313
Pronunciation: No-sho
Sentence: These hair dryer instructions are common sense, a real knowshow.
Etymology: To show someone what they should already know. Also a play on no show, cause anyone that needs a knowshow has no show common sense.
Nobvious
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: nob/vee/us
Sentence: Ha ha how nobvious is that!! "Not for use by idiots"
Etymology: obvious + nob (silly person)
Klutztructions
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /kluht-struk-shuhns/
Sentence: The klutztructions that came with Donna's toaster said not to use a knife to pry out the toast if it got stuck, so she shrugged and grabbed a fork instead.
Etymology: klutz - a stupid or foolish person(from Yiddish, klots "clumsy person") + instructions (from Latin, instructus "to put in order")
Dimwiterature
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: dim/wi/tur/i/chur
Sentence: Sally was an English professor and had no trouble reading the classics. She was, however, totally incapable of understanding the dimwiterature on product instructions.
Etymology: dim wit + literature
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COMMENTS:
i can welate to that! - galwaywegian, 2008-11-05: 10:02:00
Excellent! - TJayzz, 2008-11-05: 12:10:00
great word - OZZIEBOB, 2008-11-05: 15:42:00
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Duhliterature
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: duh-lit-er-eh-shur
Sentence: Reading the instructions on her hair dryer warning her not to use it while sleeping or in the shower, and the notation on the package of chips to 'open package, eat chips' Wanda was again reminded of all the duhliturature she'd encountered on other similar products.
Etymology: Blend of 'duh' (used derisively to indicate that something just stated is all too obvious or self-evident) and 'literature' (any kind of printed material such as labels, circulars, leaflets, or handbills etc)
Idiotag
Created by: Kazizzle
Pronunciation: ih/dee/oh/tahg
Sentence: Marie was rolling on the ground laughing after seeing this idiotag on a pack of matches: "Danger - Fire Kills Children".
Etymology: idiot - A common term for a person of low general intelligence and tag - A small label.
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COMMENTS:
Good word! - OZZIEBOB, 2008-01-09: 03:52:00
Gonna use this word a lot! - silveryaspen, 2008-01-11: 14:08:00
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Lobotohowto
Created by: mweinmann
Pronunciation: Low + Bot + To + How + To
Sentence: As Howard opened the box and plugged in his new electric can opener, he noiced a small booklet, which he identified as another lobotohowto. It offered the usual helpful hints such as "do not put fingers near sharp moving blades", "do not use to open hazardous materials", "do not put in dishwasher" and finally, "do not use to cut out coupons". He wondered how many hands, fingers, knees and toes had been saved by these little tidbits.
Etymology: Lobotomy is added to "how-to" (a set of instructions or manual) to yield a booklet or pamphlet of instructions meant for someone who has had sections of their brain removed.
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COMMENTS:
Love it! - metrohumanx, 2008-11-06: 23:48:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by yellowbird. Thank you yellowbird. ~ James
OZZIEBOB - 2008-01-09: 03:47:00
Great word!
Today's definition was suggested by yellowbird. Thank you yellowbird. ~ James