Verboticism: Awkwords

'This may hurt a little. So tell me, how are your kids?'

DEFINITION: n., Forced small talk used by professional caregivers to put patients at ease. (Not usually effective.) v., To ask insipid questions while subjecting a person to an intimate, awkward or painful procedure.

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Awkwords

artr

Created by: artr

Pronunciation: awk-werds

Sentence: Jim is not a fan of dental appointments, not because of a concern for pain or the loss of productive time. What he hates is the awkwords that fill the room as the procedures progress. It's difficult, at best, to carry on a conversation with fingers, water spray and other tools in your mouth.

Etymology: awkward (lacking social graces or manners) + words (speech or talk)

Points: 518