Verboticism: Philanthreaty

'Santa won't come unless you clean up your desk!'

DEFINITION: v. To inspire and motivate people to do great things, by issuing petty threats. n. A kind and gentle threat.

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Philanthreaty

Carla

Created by: Carla

Pronunciation: fill-anth-reh-tee

Sentence: Later, when he questioned his mother about her use of water boarding to encourage the children to revise for their exams, she steadfastly claimed it was philanthreaty, for their own good.

Etymology: philanthropy + threat

Points: 659

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