Verboticism: Figmendation
DEFINITION: n. A prop (e.g. papers, files or any non-functional equipment) used to create the illusion of busyness. v. To use office supplies to create the illusion that you are working.
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Figmendation
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Bossacoy
Created by: abrakadeborah
Pronunciation: boss-a-coy
Sentence: In order for Bob to fool his boss...he would often walk around with his trusty bossacoy to look busy.
Etymology: Boss-Manager. Part of "Decoy" - Someone or something used to draw attention away from another.
Phantofiles
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: fan/toe/files
Sentence: Joe had six different coloured sets of phantofiles he alternated at various times of the day to keep 'The Man' off his case and to demonstrate his industriousness and multitasking abilities. "Damn, he's good!" thought his boss. "He's been working on six different projects today and it's only noon." Joe's phantofiles put him in line for a raise.
Etymology: PHANTOFILES - noun - from PHANTOM (an appearance, or illusion without material substance) + FILES (a container, or folder for keeping papers in order)
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COMMENTS:
I worked with a guy that did that...he got away with it until his new female boss figured him out and gave him the boot! - Nosila, 2008-08-06: 00:50:00
pesty female bosses! - scrabbelicious, 2008-08-06: 06:43:00
What datum lurks in the hearts of men?Only the Phantofile knows. - metrohumanx, 2008-08-06: 11:25:00
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Escaperwork
Created by: Discoveria
Pronunciation: ess-KAY-pur-wurk
Sentence: Just before weekly staff meetings, Joe's pile of escaperwork would grow to include three reports, two manila envelopes, a stapler and a large black binder labelled 'URGENT'.
Etymology: escape (to avoid) + paperwork (documents)
Disworkillusionment
Created by: keeno82uk
Pronunciation: dis-work-illusion-ment
Sentence: "that guy is so practicing disworkillusionment, as he always carries around that file"
Etymology: Meaning the illusion of work by cloaking your lack of said work using props, i.e folder, laptop
Maskqueraid
Created by: Jabberwocky
Pronunciation: mask/ur/ade
Sentence: No one knew which department he worked in but with his maskqueraid of blackbery and wireless headset he easily passed his day wandering and betting on horses
Etymology: masquerade + mask + aid
Importmanteau
Created by: rephil
Pronunciation: im-PORT-man-toh
Sentence: Gerry's importmanteau always impressed visitors, but the maintenance man's keys signified he held more true power in the building.
Etymology: import -- rank, necessity, gravity; portmanteau -- a suitcase
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COMMENTS:
this is a great word!! - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-13: 14:48:00
Thanks -- I know I've had a few in my time! - rephil, 2007-06-13: 14:50:00
Erm -- importmanteaux, not great words! - rephil, 2007-06-13: 14:51:00
actually your words are terrific - there have just been so many good words to choose from lately - I especially like euphonia - Jabberwocky, 2007-06-13: 15:17:00
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Voted For! | Comments and Points
Antiworkaid
Created by: weareallbeautiful
Pronunciation: ah-n-tee-w-urk-ay-d
Sentence: Bill always carried his antiwork aid in order to avoid having to actually work at the office.
Etymology: anti+work+aid
Bogustrive
Created by: kendriveset
Pronunciation: bo-ga-strive
Sentence: Jim took more effort to bogustrive around the office than it would\'ve taken to actually do some work.
Etymology: bogus + strive
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COMMENTS:
good one - Nosila, 2010-01-07: 18:50:00
thanks so much - kendriveset, 2010-01-08: 15:48:00
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Shamanila
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: sha man ila
Sentence: Steve was the shamanila at the office. Most of his 8 hour shift was devoted to avoiding work. He had carried around his faithful manila folder daily trying to look busy. For 8 years he had fooled everyone. Until the day he got his new manager, Liz. She asked him to write out his job description. How in the world was he going to turn his one sentence actual duties (Carries around a file folder.) into a whole page or two of action verbs and activities?
Etymology: Sham (a person who makes deceitful pretenses;something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be) & Manila (a strong paper or thin cardboard with a smooth light brown finish made from e.g. Manila hemp & Shaman (one who practices sorcery)
Fauxsimile
Created by: ryanpetie
Pronunciation: foh-sim-ill-lay
Sentence: Darren gathered his fauxsimiles and strode around the office like a man possessed. 'A few more laps,' he thought, 'and I could be managing partner.'
Etymology: faux/facsimile
