Verboticism: Chivalricochet

'He's kind of possessive about his litter...'

DEFINITION: v., To clean up another person's mess, only to have all their garbage dumped right on top of you. n., A person who tries to help other people solve their problems but always ends up in deep doo-doo.

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Chivalricochet

Created by: Tigger

Pronunciation: /shi-val-RIK-uh-shey/

Sentence: Richard thought he was being helpful when he offered to carry the old lady's shopping bags from the department store to her car, but his good deed chivalricocheted when the store security guard grabbed his arm and claimed he was shoplifting. Glancing around the parking lot, the old woman was nowhere to be found.

Etymology: chivalric - pertaining to a gallant deed; with good intention (from Old French, chevalier "knight") + ricochet - [informal] having an unintended consequence; to backfire (from Old French, give-and-take)

Points: 698

Comments: Chivalricochet

silveryaspen - 2008-02-07: 11:06:00
Knightly done!