Vote for the best verboticism.
DEFINITION: v. To use animal training techniques to improve and direct the behavior of other people. n. A technique which uses the principles of animal training to solve a human behavioral riddle.
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.
Folklured
Created by: Tigger
Pronunciation: /fohk-loord/
Sentence: Sherry wasn't what you'd call 'book-smart' but she was very good at figuring out what people's motivations were, and which tactics would make them act the way she wanted. She had folklured her boyfriend into a marriage proposal, her parents into buying her another new car, and even her teachers into giving her good grades — now she was about to graduate college, thanks to another student, who was also her enamoured and very lonely tutor. She was definitely going to either work in sales, or in politics.
Etymology: from the word 'Folklore': Folk - people in general, or people of a distinct group (from German, volk "people") + Lured - tempted or enticed into a particular action; used a decoy for fishing or trapping (from Middle Low German, loder "bait")
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COMMENTS:
She must have folklured her parents into buying her a new folkswagen! - Nosila, 2008-05-19: 16:56:00
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Reinforceman
Created by: mrskellyscl
Pronunciation: re-in-force-man
Sentence: Lia found that Max responded well to positive reinforceman one day by accident when she came home and found the dishes were done. She fussed on him, grilled his favorite steak and bought him a six-pack. Max immediately got up after the meal and did the dishes. Later that night while watching Victoria Stilwell train a Rottweiler on "It's Me or the Dog" she had a revelation. Perhaps she could teach Max to put the toilet seat down if she used a really good reward. She decided to learn some training techniques from Victoria and immediately went to the mall to get a little treat for him from Victoria's Secret.
Etymology: reinforcement + man: in Operant Conditioning reinforcement occurs when an event following a response will increase the likelihood of that response happening again. Animals trained with reinforcement techniques are trained by using treats and praise instead of negative reinforcement. Victoria Stilwell is a dog trainer on Animal Planet who uses reinforcement on ill-mannered dogs.
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COMMENTS:
Clever word and story.... - mweinmann, 2009-06-30: 08:03:00
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Homesticate
Created by: Stevenson0
Pronunciation: hoh/mes/ti/kate
Sentence: In most relationships, the woman has to homesticate the male so he can function in modern society.
Etymology: homo sapiens (the modern species of humans) + domesticate (to tame an animal to live with humans); therefore, homesticate (to tame a human to live with humans)
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COMMENTS:
good play on the human condition.... - mweinmann, 2009-06-30: 08:02:00
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Poochnique
Created by: OZZIEBOB
Pronunciation: POOCH-neek
Sentence: "If you have something to say." Roxie barked, "shut up." She hoped that her poochniques would make Bob think that he had a dog for a wife, and he would forever remain her best friend.
Etymology: Blend of POOCH: slang for dog; etymology unknown, could be from German "Putzi" a name for a lap-dog?? & TECHNIQUE.
Circusitous
Created by: bookowl
Pronunciation: sir/cus/i/tus
Sentence: I used a circusitous route but the leash worked wonders for keeping the kids in check.
Etymology: circus + circuitous (devious)
Shamuducate
Created by: rikboyee
Pronunciation: sham-oo-dyoo-kayt
Sentence: once she discovered how much he enjoyed being scratched on the back of the head, she found it simple enough to shamuducate her husband
Etymology: shamu, educate
Pavlovpotion
Created by: Nosila
Pronunciation: pav lov po shun
Sentence: Valentina trained dogs for a living, so it was no surprise that when she wanted her boyfriend, Charlie, to do her bidding, she had a method. She fed him a pavlovpotion and he would do anything for her without question.
Etymology: Pavlov (Russian physiologist who observed conditioned salivary responses in dogs (1849-1936)) & Love Potion (a drink credited with magical power; can make the one who takes it love the one who gave it)
Manapulate
Created by: TJayzz
Pronunciation: Man-ayp-yu-layt
Sentence: Pam was hoping that when Bob saw the documentary on how the apes adapted the various things in their surroundings to use as tools, that it may spur him on to getting on with all the little jobs that needed doing around the house
Etymology: Man(Human being) +ape (a large tailess primate) +(manipulate (to cleverly control or influence) =manapulate
Rollrover
Created by: artr
Pronunciation: rohl-roh-ver
Sentence: Jane's husband snores terribly if he sleeps on his back. She got tired of poking him in the ribs to get him to roll over onto his side. Watching him clicker-train their dog inspired her. That night, when the snoring started, she used the clicker. He immediately rolled onto his side. Her rollrover technique was a success. No more broken nails for her. No more sore ribs for him.
Etymology: roll over (a common trick dogs are trained to do) + Rover (a common dog name)
Comments:
Today's definition is inspired by Amy Sutherland's new book "What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage". where she reminds us that "People are animals too!", and that "Any interaction is training". Now Amy has invented her own word for this and it's "Shamu", so I have added it today's list of verboticisms! Thanks Amy! ~ James
Today's definition is inspired by Amy Sutherland's book "What Shamu Taught me About Life, Love and Marriage", where she reminds us that "People are animals too!", and that "Any interaction is training". Of course, Amy has invented her own word for this -- "Shamu". Let's see what we come up with now... Thanks Amy! ~ James
Today's definition was suggested by amysutherland. Thank you amysutherland. ~ James