DEFINITION: n. A fashion accessory or style of dress which purports to improve one's appearance and attitude, but actually does the opposite. v. To follow a fashion dictum in an effort to improve your social standing even when it causes physical discomfort.

Hautecoutorture

Created by: Tigger

Pronunciation: /oht-koo-tor-cher/

Sentence: Irene had spent half of her last paycheck on a pair of Manolo slingbacks, and she took satisfaction in knowing that she was wearing the most fashionable shoes of anyone at the party. Unfortunately, the new, stiff leather had raised and torn open blisters on her ankles and squished her toes, so that now she was barely able to walk. This miserable hautecoutorture she was experiencing must just be part of the price of high-fashion. On top of that, her dress pinched under her arms and dug painfully into her bladder whenever she sat down. Her dress was a Versouchie.

Etymology: Haute-couture - high fashion (French, haute "high" & couture "sewing") Torture - to afflict with severe pain (from Latin, torquere "to twist, turn, or wring")

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