Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To focus on your weaknesses, rather than your strengths. n. A person who is obsessed with their perceived deficiencies, and works hard to ensure that everyone else understands and appreciates their failings.
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.
Nokwando
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: nōkwändō
Sentence: Nelson is not only a practitioner but is the grand master of a new martial art, nokwando. Rather than teach new skills, this art concentrates on what a student cannot do. His dojo is not finished yet and may not be unless someone else take on the project. Nelson even practices his art at work. When his boss suggests some action that he should be undertaking, he can almost always defer or deflect this effort with phrases like "I'll have take that under study" or "My predecessor never showed me how to do that".
Etymology: no (not any) + taekwando (a modern Korean martial art similar to karate)
Defectionist
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: dee-fekt-shun-ehst
Sentence: Wilbur had at one point in his life been a perfectionist but over time after suffering some setbacks, he became a defectionist, concentrating on his perceived defects rather than building on his strengths.
Etymology: Blend of 'defect' (imperfection) and suffix 'ist' (indicates a person involved in the activity or field)
Becrutchery
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: beek rut shurr eee
Sentence: He was a master of becrutchery. His company car park was twice the width of his car. The technical department started his computer five minutes before his arrival. his colleagues did his photocopying rather than spen thje morning pulling crumpled staples out of the works. His father, the chief executive, was responsible for this shlepotism.
Etymology: begrudgery, crutch
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COMMENTS:
I think he works here - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:25:00
He's worked in several companies I have...how do they do it??? - Nosila, 2008-04-29: 23:15:00
Good word. - OZZIEBOB, 2008-04-30: 21:34:00
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Imperfectshine
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: im-purr-fekt-shine
Sentence: she reasoned that the world needed some ugly models and she would damn well imperfectshine her way to the top!
Etymology: imperfection, shine
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COMMENTS:
Well thought out! - TJayzz, 2008-04-29: 11:13:00
good for her - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:20:00
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Manglomaniac
Created by: karenanne
Pronunciation: MAN gah lo MAIN ee ak
Sentence: Dexter Knott made sure that everyone knew how difficult most tasks were for him and how slowly he worked, so that they wouldn't ask much of him. He was a notable manglomaniac, pointing out how he would probably mangle whatever responsibility was laid at his doorstep, and then suggesting that someone else would do a better job. He made such comments as, "Why don't you give the project to Lee Derr? He thrives on 'management opportunities.'" As a result, he mostly got to slack off while his more capable and ambitious colleagues basically got used. In the end, since they were all on a set pay scale, they all got paid the same.
Etymology: mangle + megalomaniac
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COMMENTS:
Lee Derr...like it! - Nosila, 2010-07-03: 22:43:00
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Vulnerabillisme
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: vul ner abil is me
Sentence: Chuck sat at his desk telling Denise, the new receptionist, how his reports were brief and he was not strong in public speaking or doing up a presentation. She thought it very strange given he was the Marketing Director and he had to give presentations, public speeches and detailed reports all the time. His vulnerabillisme was cute until she figured out how much they were paying him to do so little, when she could do the job and be a success!
Etymology: Vulnerability (susceptibility to injury or attack; the state of being vulnerable or exposed) & Is Me (it's all about you...)
Flunkard
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /flung-kerd/ (pronounced like 'drunkard')
Sentence: Larry would often set low standards for himself and then consistently fail to meet those standards. As a habitual flunkard, Larry found that there were very few tasks entrusted to him at the office. Management, having noticed this, were quick to assume that he was quite skilled at delegating assignments, and offered him a promotion.
Etymology: Flunk - failure to meet minimum performance standards (English slang, from alteration of British university slang, funk "to be frightened, shrink from") + Drunkard - a chronic, habitual drinker (from Old English, druncen, pp. of "to drink"); Flunkard = a chronic, habitual failure.
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COMMENTS:
great sentence Tigger - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:21:00
Great word! - Mustang, 2008-04-29: 23:23:00
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Degretation
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: degh-reh-TAY-shun
Sentence: Carletons sense of self worth was flimsy at best, bordering on nonexistent, and he would frequently abase himself in his self styled degretation, using verbal self abuse and humiliation.
Etymology: Blend of degrade and reputation
Flawplan
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: FLAW-plan
Sentence: Bob spelt out his career plan with acronymical alacrity. It read: "F" for frustrating and thoughtlessness; "L" for lethargic and litigious; "A" for aimless and antediluvian; "W" for workshy and weaseling; "P" for plastic and procrastinating; "L" for lackadaisical and laconic; "A" for asinine and anal-retentive and "N" for neglectful and nepotistic. He was elected - maybe - for his honesty; or, more likely, by the "donkey" vote!
Etymology: FLAW: fault(s), defects, imperfection(s) & PLAN: to have a specific aim or purpose; a scheme or method of doing something put together in advance.
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COMMENTS:
very clever
- petaj, 2008-04-29: 04:58:00
Hmmmmm, is that a thinly veiled political swipe! - pieceof314, 2008-04-29: 09:44:00
love the sentence - Jabberwocky, 2008-04-29: 12:22:00
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Flawedcaster
Created by: hyperborean
Pronunciation: flawd-cahst-ur
Sentence: John was a prolific flawedcaster, but only Mary enjoyed receiving his weekly flawedcast -- everyone else deleted it right away. Reading about his problems made her feel strong.
Etymology: flawed (defective) + broadcast (to make widely known)
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COMMENTS:
Favorite so far. Truly fits! Esp. the verb - DrWebsterIII, 2009-06-09: 14:38:00
like it!! - mweinmann, 2009-06-09: 17:27:00
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Comments:
Today's definition is inspired by Johnny Bunko's Career Secret # 2: "Think strengths, not weaknesses". See: "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" by Dan Pink. Thanks Dan! ~ James
Today's definition is inspired by Johnny Bunko's Career Secret # 2: "Think strengths, not weaknesses". See: "The Adventures of Johnny Bunko" by Dan Pink. Thanks Dan! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by johnnybunko. Thank you johnnybunko. ~ James