Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: n. A person who, using an example from their own life, steers people away from a line of speculation by reducing it to an absurdity. v. To dismantle a logical argument with piles of passionate incoherence.
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.
Nonsequinfer
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: non - SEC - win - fur
Sentence: When his daughter asked for a new computer and internet access Eldridge launched into a rambling, disjointed nonsequinfer based on his own life's experiences that not only left Lucretia disappointed and crying, but thoroughly confused as well.
Etymology: Blend of infer and non sequitur, 'an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premise.'
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COMMENTS:
nice blend - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-25: 12:25:00
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Philosophistry
Created by: CharlieB
Pronunciation: fill-oh-sof-is-tree
Sentence: George Osbourne's sense of his place in the world was completely dement-Id. 'The bankers' failure should be rewarded with more perks, because they're from Eton and will do the right thing,' he rationa-lies-ed to the country.
Etymology: philsophy (system of personal beliefs) + sophistry (a false argument)
Manicdotal
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: man-ik-doe-tul
Sentence: In order to get the upperhand in this argument he was going to need to provide some pretty persuasive manicdotal evidence
Etymology: manic, anecdote
Prepostulate
Created by: Mustang
Pronunciation: pre-PAWST-yew-layt
Sentence: In giving reasons to others in defense of his sometimes goofy notions, Elmer would regularly prepostulate, rambling on with odd and sometimes even bizarre rationale.
Etymology: Blend of the words 'preposterous' (adj. contrary to nature, reason, or common sense) and 'postulate' (to claim or assume the existence or truth of, especially as a basis for reasoning or arguing)
Negatiate
Created by: suzanne
Pronunciation: negg-ate-ee-ate
Sentence: Mary wanted to study German but her father negatieted by saying how he had lived his whole life speaking only English and he had never been arrested.
Etymology: neg- from nagative atiate - derivative from negotiate.
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COMMENTS:
probably should be negatiator, but the sentence alone is worth a vote - galwaywegian, 2007-04-18: 05:22:00
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Foolluminati
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: f-loo-muh-Nah-tee
Sentence: "Emily, this is Dad. I only have a minute, so listen closely. Do you have a pencil and paper at hand?'' "No, Dad, but I'm at my computer, so go ahead." "Quickly. Turn it off now and keep it off for at least a week, so the system doesn't overheat. Don't you remember what I told you about machines:treat them with care and they'll never wear out; that computer will still be working when you're a grandmother." Although others may have been deeply shocked by this kind of advice, Emily replied "Yes, I understand; no problem...Dad." By the time Emily had put the phone down, she had already made up her mind to leave it off-the-hook for the next week, although she knew that he would try to contact her by telegram. Thankfully, after all, he was busy at the "Quill and Abacus Restoration Society's" annual meeting, and would after be attending the "Gaslighter's Guild" for a few days. At least, she consoled herself, she would be free for a little while from the inanities of this fatherly foolluminati. (last try: Sillustrator)
Etymology: FOOL: a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense. IILLUMINATI: People, or person, claiming to be unusually enlightened with regard to a subject
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COMMENTS:
love the way this sounds - Jabberwocky, 2008-06-25: 12:24:00
LOVE that word AND the "sentence" is hilarious! :) - lumina, 2008-06-25: 12:58:00
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Anecdontalist
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: an-eck-dohn-tul-ist
Sentence: for every hair brained sceme i came up with, grandpa had a story that would convince me to forget about it...he was a master anecdontalist
Etymology: anecdote, don't
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COMMENTS:
Clever anecdote! I hope you had a doting grandma, to counter-balance your donting grandpa. - wordmeister, 2007-04-18: 02:54:00
could be a long anecdonta list - galwaywegian, 2007-04-18: 05:10:00
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Asintime
Created by: lumina
Pronunciation: ass/in/time
Sentence: John knew he had officially become his father when he told the kids, "You think cleaning your room before you go to the mall is bad? Try getting up at 2, feeding chickens, milking cows, chopping wood, birthin' sheep AND making your own shoes out of the hide you laid out weeks before THEN walking 4 miles to school everyday! THEN come back and tell me again that your life sucks!" Yes, he has become an asintime just like his dad.
Etymology: as: derivative of ass:a pompous fool. "in time" (self explanatory)
Pisstorian
Created by: pinwheel
Pronunciation: piss/tor/ee/an
Sentence: I don't believe grandpa really lived in a cardboard box and only had stale bread and water when he was a child. He must be a pisstorian!
Etymology: Piss (as in taking the piss) + historian
Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by Kurt Vonnegut and first appeared in his novel Cat's Cradle.
Thank you Mr. Vonnegut! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by vonnegut. Thank you vonnegut. ~ James