Verboticism: Shrivalry

'Let me hold the door for you...'

DEFINITION: n., A gallant gesture which does not produce the desired effect because of poor execution. v., To offer a small gesture of assistance, which backfires as you trip over your own kind intentions.

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Behalfgaffe

Created by: Wordfanne

Pronunciation:

Sentence: When Roland stood up to allow a pregnant, fellow-bus-rider his seat, his behalfgaffe of stepping on another woman's skirt hem, pulling its waist to her knees, rather nullified his desired "effect".

Etymology:

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Backsquire

Created by: mplsbohemian

Pronunciation: BAK-skwyre

Sentence: Alex, ever the backsquire, spread out his coat for his date to cross a puddle, only to put her in the way of the spray of a speeding car.

Etymology: backfire + squire (a gentleman)

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Magnanimistake

petaj

Created by: petaj

Pronunciation: magnanimous-take

Sentence: Sir Galahazard sprawled clumsily under the portcullis after tripping over his sword in his hurry to bow as low as he could. His reputation for magnanimistakes travelled before him so there was a first aid officer on hand to receive him.

Etymology: magnanimous, revealing generosity or nobility + mistake, an error or fault (Galahad, known for his chivalry + galah, a term of endearment in Australia for a fool named after a type of parrot + hazard, a danger)

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COMMENTS:

A knight in shining harmour - Jabberwocky, 2007-10-26: 12:08:00

petaj The only health insurance available was through MEDI-e-val. Which was unfortunate because Galahazard was there to crown the king. But if there was any danger to the king there were plenty of guards armed with mace to subdue his overexcitable gallantry. Guinefear had become very cautious around him. - petaj, 2007-10-27: 02:09:00

The noble knight seems a little odd but very obliging. Nice word! - OZZIEBOB, 2007-10-28: 02:42:00

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Clumourteous

Created by: vnamdoc

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

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Doomerang

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: doōmərang

Sentence: Wendel tried once again to do the gracious thing. As he attempted to help an older woman carry a heavy bag of groceries to her car only to trip and scatter the contents across the pavement. He would have stayed and helped her clean up the mess but she seemed much more intent on beating him with her cane than retrieving her broken eggs. Once again he found himself to be an expert at creating doomerangs, those deeds that always find a way to come back and boot you in the seat.

Etymology: doom (death, destruction, or some other terrible fate) + boomerang (a curved flat piece of wood that can be thrown so as to return to the thrower)

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COMMENTS:

great sentence - bookowl, 2008-09-24: 13:44:00

Nice word - OZZIEBOB, 2008-09-25: 18:21:00

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Chivalrust

Created by: Kyoti

Pronunciation: Shiv-all-ruhst

Sentence: Barry's attempt to impress Deanna by juggling chocolate Valentine's hearts not only failed to ignite her interest, but underscored how deeply he suffered from chronic chivalrust.

Etymology: Chivalrous: gallant gesturing + rust: worn from misuse or lack of use.

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Gallantrip

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: gal-uh n-trip

Sentence: Warren sees himself as a knight in shining amour. More often than not he gallantrips if he acts on these loving feelings.

Etymology: gallantry (dashing courage; heroic bravery; noble-minded behavior) + trip (to make a slip, error, or mistake)

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Chivalwreck

Created by: QuantumMechanic

Pronunciation: shi val rek

Sentence: I tried to help the old lady across the street, but I was a complete chivalwreck when I got my foot run over, and she dropped her groceries.

Etymology: Chivalry + Wreck

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Graciouch

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: grāshəouch

Sentence: Tim likes to play the role of a knight in shining armor. Instead, his klutziness often leaves him as a knight with a shiner.

Etymology: gracious (courteous, kind, and pleasant) + ouch (exclamation used to express pain)

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Mannerd

mrskellyscl

Created by: mrskellyscl

Pronunciation: man-nerd

Sentence: Even though Sal was a brilliant rocket scientist, he was totally inept in social situations, especially when it came to his approach to women. In his dreams he was dashing, witty and chivalrous, but the reality was that he was well-mannerd because his attempts to be polite and helpful were so awkward.

Etymology: mannered (well) polite, courteous + nerd: socially inept

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