Vote for the best verboticism.
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.
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.
Assimilinguistics
Created by: galwaywegian
Pronunciation: ass imm ill in gwist icks
Sentence: his particular brand of assimilinguistics failed to let him blend in with his children's friends.
Etymology: assmilate, linguistics
Memic
Created by: Buzzardbilly
Pronunciation: ˈmē-mik
Sentence: (n) He was a memic; he easily slid from one manner of speech to another and bonding with each type as individuals by sharing their langauge style without really thinking about it. (BTW, the actual term used for this in communication studies is "vocal matching") (v) His memicked as if he had to talk the same way anyone he spoke with did, but it was endearing as it wasn't a conscious decision on his part.
Etymology: mimic - to attempt to sound like another; emic - cultural study by participating in the culture; and, meme - cultural information (ideas, beliefs, and practices [which I believe would include one's way of speaking]) that spread from person to person much in the way genes spread biological information from person to person.
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COMMENTS:
Memic Mia, good word. - Nosila, 2009-10-06: 18:09:00
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Verbotomime
Created by: jedijawa
Pronunciation: ver-boto-mime
Sentence: Jedijawa tends to unconsciously verbotomime the dialect and accent of people who he talks to for more than 5 minutes unless he tries very hard not to do so.
Etymology: verbotomy (pandering to the board on this one) + mime (to imitate)
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COMMENTS:
Verbotomimicry is the sincerest form of flattery. Thank you! - Verbotomy, 2007-03-20: 10:27:00
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Copychat
Created by: Bulletchewer
Pronunciation: cop-ee-chat
Sentence: Leanne would copychat his posh accent to make her client feel more at ease.
Etymology: From "copy cat" and "chat".
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COMMENTS:
exchatullent word! - wordmeister, 2007-03-20: 10:14:00
You got my vote. Our words seem similarly inspired - great minds... :D - Discoveria, 2007-03-20: 10:31:00
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Mirrormate
Created by: chris
Pronunciation: mi-rerr-mayt
Sentence: Copying the accents and language of people he didn't even know usually ended up with him being thumped - but he couldn't help himself; his urge to mirrormate was totally out of control
Etymology: reflecting (mirror) the style of those around you (mates)
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:
Accentufake
Created by: Loreshai
Pronunciation: ack sent you fake
Sentence: Bill accentufaked his reading of Shakespeare so that the ignorant children might learn something.
Etymology: accentuate- to highlight a certain item + fake - not real ( also a play on "accent you fake")
Chameleunaware
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: cuh-meal-ee-un-ah-wear
Sentence: everyone at the old folks home found it amusing when the young janitor started saying things like 'whippersnapper' and 'in my day'... but even more amusing was that he was totally chameleunaware
Etymology: chameleon, unaware
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COMMENTS:
Nice switcheroo on the typical linguistic ageism. - wordmeister, 2007-03-20: 10:19:00
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Langslide
Created by: purpleartichokes
Pronunciation: lang-slide
Sentence: After interviewing the president, Bob recapped the discussion, and langslided when he talked about North Korea's "nucular" capabilities.
Etymology: language, slide
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COMMENTS:
excellent one! - toadstool57, 2007-03-20: 08:19:00
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Comments:
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic.
Thank you Osomatic! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by Osomatic. Thank you Osomatic. ~ James