Vote for the best verboticism.

'OMG YGLT Shakespeare'

DEFINITION: v. To unconsciously adopt the vocal mannerisms and linguistic stylings of the people with whom you are speaking. n. A speaker who adopts the vocal mannerisms of their audience.

Create | Read

Verboticisms

Click on each verboticism to read the sentences created by the Verbotomy writers, and to see your voting options...

You have two votes. Click on the words to read the details, then vote your favorite.

Mimaccent

erasmus

Created by: erasmus

Pronunciation: mi mac sent

Sentence: Doris was terrible for putting on a mimaccent every time she spoke to someone. Even South Africans thought she was one of them until she said she came from Chawley.

Etymology: from mimic and accent

| Comments and Points

Spongespeak

Created by: mplsbohemian

Pronunciation: SPUHNJ-speek

Sentence: After five minutes of conversation, the Cincinnatian already spongespoke his Atlanta friend's drawl.

Etymology: sponge (as in absorbancy) + speak

| Comments and Points

Copychat

libertybelle

Created by: libertybelle

Pronunciation: cop-ee-chat

Sentence: When I first met Floyd, I thought he was mocking my Jersey accent but I soon realized he was just a copychat when he picked up a Brogue when we visited Dublin.

Etymology: copy + chat and a play on the word copycat

| Comments and Points

Vernaculitis

Created by: Sed8ed

Pronunciation: vern-ack-u-li-tis

Sentence: She suffered from a severe case of vernaculitis after living in the south for so many years.

Etymology:

| Comments and Points

Osmolinguate

Created by: PythianHabenero

Pronunciation: osmo-LING-g(y)oo-ate

Sentence: My tendency to osmolinguate is one reason why I prefer to keep friends whose elocution I find pleasant.

Etymology: "Osmosis" + the lingu- word root, with help from "amalgamate".

| Comments and Points

Accslident

petaj

Created by: petaj

Pronunciation: ack-slide-ent

Sentence: Carrie was the laughing stock of her friends because working in the childcare centre had caused her to accslidently talk like a toddler.

Etymology: accent (vocal styling) + slide (movement) + accident (unplanned, unconscious action)

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

I like it! - jedijawa, 2007-03-21: 00:31:00

petaj thanks jedijawa - petaj, 2007-03-25: 04:14:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Keeblie

Created by: arcadia

Pronunciation:

Sentence:

Etymology:

| Comments and Points

Slangfreudianslip

Created by: Jabberwocky

Pronunciation: slang/froydian/slip

Sentence: Oops another slangfreudianslip - I must get back to my psychoanalysis

Etymology: slang + freudian slip + sangfroid

| Comments and Points

Vernactitude

Created by: Nosila

Pronunciation: ver nakt itood

Sentence: My Mother has a vernactitude in communicating with others from different ethnic backgrounds. First of all she speaks slower and louder than normal (apparently in her mind this will help them understand her English words better). She uses far more hand language & gestures and throws in foreign words to better describe what she is trying to say. It matters not that the foreign words are not in the language of that person. She recently spoke to a Chinese waiter and after she slowly and loudly told him her order, ended it with "Capeesh,Garçon?"

Etymology: Vernacular (the everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language);a characteristic language of a particular group) & Aptitude (inherent ability)

----------------------------
COMMENTS:

Good for mum! - splendiction, 2009-10-06: 22:43:00

----------------------------

| Comments and Points

Paraphonics

CharlieB

Created by: CharlieB

Pronunciation: para-fon-icks

Sentence: Scientists in the field of paraphonics have found the perfect example of manipulative parodiction: high-profile chef James Olivier and former Prime Minister Tommy Bleurgh both move easily between Estuary English and RP depending on their audience.

Etymology: parody (to imitate poorly or feebly) + phonic (of or pertaining to speech)

| Comments and Points

Show All or More...

 

Comments:

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2007-03-20: 00:00:33
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic.
Thank you Osomatic! ~ James

Verbotomy Verbotomy - 2009-10-06: 00:14:00
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic. Thank you Osomatic. ~ James