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.
Wrang-wrang
Created by: vonnegut
Pronunciation: rang-rang
Sentence: There was a sign around my dead cat's neck. It said, "Meow." I have not seen Krebbs since. Nonetheless, I sense that he was my karass. If he was, he served it as a wrang-wrang.
Etymology: Created by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., for Cat's Cradle, published in 1963.
Illustrationgist
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: ill/us/tray/shun/jist
Sentence: Her dad was the ultimate illustrationgist - he reduced every conversation to taking a walk down memory lane
Etymology: illustration (example) + gist (meaning)
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COMMENTS:
Ooh, this is an interesting spin on the definition. - playdohheart, 2007-04-18: 07:37:00
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Ergocentrist
Created by: karenanne
Pronunciation: er go SEN trist
Sentence: He is such an ergocentrist. Basically, his attitude is, "This is how I did it thirty years ago and it worked for me; therefore, this is how it should continue to work." He says he never gets vaccinations because when he was 17, he got one, and the next day, he broke his ankle. Therefore, he would never get a vaccination again because he is sure it makes people's bones turn brittle. Since then, he has never broken a bone, which just "proves" his theory. But he does get the flu almost every year. (Which he blames on computer viruses, because he never got the flu until he was 18, and hey, that was RIGHT AROUND the time that computers really hit the popular market, so therefore,....)
Etymology: ergo (therefore) + egocentric
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COMMENTS:
ergological word - Nosila, 2009-11-05: 00:24:00
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Tangentvangelist
Created by: porsche
Pronunciation: tan/jent/van/jel/ist
Sentence: My sixth grade teacher was a tangentvangelist who answered every question with a reference to the black plague
Etymology: tangent + evangelist
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COMMENTS:
Probably the best use of "evangelist" outside occult circles (or should that be pentagrams?). - Bulletchewer, 2007-04-18: 12:14:00
Good word. Also made me think of that SNL sketch, "In a vannn down by the rivvver". That guy was a tangentvangelist if anyone ever was. - playdohheart, 2007-04-18: 15:09:00
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Discouragent
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: disk urr a jent
Sentence: He respectfully suggested that the laws of physics would have to be rewritten in order for that particular position would prove successful (in terms of a non lethat outcome), proving that he was a complete discouragent
Etymology: discouragement, gentleman
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COMMENTS:
oops, i meant non- lethal. - galwaywegian, 2007-04-18: 05:09:00
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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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Disfable
Created by: patb
Pronunciation: dis-fay-bull
Sentence: Roger used disfables about his childhood to discourage his children. It worked
Etymology: dis + fable + disable
Flawgic
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: flaw jik
Sentence: When Vanessa asked her father for a new computer, he tried to diminish its value. His flawgic was not understanding that in today's Internet world, his daughter could easily draw her own conclusions, based on accurate data. His daughter was not a silicone chip off the old block!
Etymology: Flaw (add a flaw or blemish to; make imperfect or defective) & Logic (reasoned and reasonable judgment)
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)
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