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.
Backinthedayser
Created by: jedijawa
Pronunciation: back-in-the-days-er
Sentence: Bill was such a backinthedayser with his irrelevant stories about his youth growing up in the "school of hard knocks."
Etymology: some moron talking about "back in the days" when things were better than they can ever be again
Logihooey
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: läjihoōē
Sentence: Whenever Cindy approaches her father with a proposal to buy something he bombards her with logihooey, passionate drivel about how he had to work for everything he has ever owned. To hear him, you would think that, as a baby, he had to work to buy his own diapers.
Etymology: logic (reasoning conducted or assessed according to strict principles of validity) + hooey (nonsense)
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)
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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Focalrecoiliot
Created by: Bulletchewer
Pronunciation: fo-cull-re-coyl-ee-utt
Sentence: Tony was a focalrecoiliot, citing his days in "Ugly Rumours" as the definitive evidence that we ought to go to war with Iraq (I mean, with America, against Iraq)instead of investing in our hospitals and schools.
Etymology: From that film (sorry, movie) Total Recall, "focal" meaning "nothing", "recoil" meaning "backward jerk of a gun" and "idiot" meaning "Governator". Who else wants some acid?
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COMMENTS:
don't atke this the wrong way Bulletchewer but I think focalrecoil might have worked better because it's the same number of syllables as total recall - Jabberwocky, 2007-04-18: 13:28:00
I meant don't take but you probably figured that out - Jabberwocky, 2007-04-18: 13:30:00
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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)
Reproofool
Created by: Alchemist
Pronunciation: re-PRUFE-fool
Sentence: Gran is a veteran reproofool. Every time my cell phone rings, he starts in about "Walking 20 miles to school, uphill both ways..."
Etymology: reproof, fool
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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Anecdoltal
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: anikdōltl
Sentence: He is known for his rambling anecdoltal stories. He doesn*t exactly win arguments, he just wears out people with exuberant drivel.
Etymology: anecdotal (not necessarily true or reliable, because based on personal accounts rather than facts or research) + dolt (a stupid person)
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COMMENTS:
terrific! - mrskellyscl, 2009-11-04: 05:25:00
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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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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