Verboticism: Impossum

'Mommy, is Daddy playing dead again?'

DEFINITION: v. To be physically overcome by a sudden illness, disability, or even death when asked to participate in unrewarding activities -- like work, or household chores. n. A person who gets sick when asked to work.

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Impossum

Trystera

Created by: Trystera

Pronunciation: im-PAHS-some

Sentence: Shortly after Sarah asked Bernard to mow the lawn, she found him bedridden, playing impossum.

Etymology: Possum: Latin verb meaning "to be able" Im-: prefix meaning "not" "playing possum" : a defensive tactic of pretending to be dead so that predators have no interest in attacking

Points: 317