# Verb that name **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 30, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187 "2009-05-30T18:39:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![the\_first\_supraliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f475e1/32.png) [@the\_first\_supraliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_first_supraliminal)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/1 "2009-05-30T18:39:46Z")
Classical and literary names are often used as verbs and adjectives. Jacobean, Shavian, Lincolnesque, etc. More recent references should be coined. For example, Jason Bateman told a talk show host that when he skips diet and exercise “my face tends to Shatner.” I.e., verb into. “to plump like a balloon”. Lenolean insult - mild running gag, like riffs on Paris Hilton’s sex tapes Clintonesque - charming and horny Springerish - pertaining to paternity Philian advice - like Dr. Phil’s “How’s that working for you?” Cheneyish - gruff, or hidden as a Cheneyish bunker Baconian - within six degrees of someone Netanyahuey - (not sure what this would be, but it’s fun to say) ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/2 "2009-05-30T19:08:45Z")
Bristonian: Drop-dead sexy. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/3 "2009-05-30T19:22:10Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Bristonian: Drop-dead sexy. I shall decline the obvious response as beneath my dignity and yours. Spearsesque: succeeding not through native talent or hard work, but rather because of soulless manipulation by corporate types. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/4 "2009-05-30T20:58:43Z")
Um…those aren’t verbs… ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/5 "2009-05-30T21:00:06Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Um…those aren’t verbs… The thread’s subject line is brief, but the OP itself, and the examples therein, allow for adjectival uses. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/6 "2009-05-31T13:25:27Z")
Obamify – I’m guessing this will change meaning depending on party affiliation and economic indicators. Oprahtize – Sort of like advertise, but with a product that’s named after you. Specterate (eeww)-- To change the way you use the word Obamify to mean change for the better. (Punctuated by periods of reversal and return to stauts quo.) ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/7 "2009-05-31T14:49:14Z")
Blessify - To talk at a volume that makes sound technicians weep. (Brian Blessed, aka the loudest man on T.V.) ---
**Author:** ![TheMadHun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/8 "2009-05-31T17:30:37Z")
to Greenspan is to try to solve all economic problems with 1/4 point changes to the prime rate a Lucciesque actress is someone beloved by her audience for years but denied honors ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/9 "2009-05-31T19:49:08Z")
Littleeditate – To get angry when someone uses the f^\*king monosyllable. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/10 "2009-06-01T02:07:26Z")
> [@TheMadHun](#): > > to Greenspan is to try to solve all economic problems with 1/4 point changes to the prime rate …while to Greenspin is to pretend you didn’t know this would lead to huge issues down the road. ---
**Author:** ![TheMadHun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/11 "2009-06-01T02:27:03Z")
Another obscure appointee will Palin her way into the spotlight. Some people say if Ponzi were alive he’d Madoff his own mother. Now that Dave established it, many people Letterman a top ten list backward ---
**Author:** ![sleeping](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/839c29/32.png) [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/12 "2009-06-01T03:59:24Z")
rush (def. 3) = to focus on petty traits that turn out not to exist in the first place ledger = to die shortly before your most well-regarded work comes to fruition (e.g., “John, seeing that his prints weren’t selling well, decided to submit _Abandoned Female Form #57_ to the National Arts Council and pull a ledger.”) ---
**Author:** ![palindromemordnilap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@palindromemordnilap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palindromemordnilap)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/13 "2009-06-01T16:59:49Z")
After wandering in the wilderness of late night for many years, he was finally Conanized with the holy 11:30/10:30 Central time slot talk show. Dude, what’s with the haircut? It’s positively Blagojevish! Watch your mouth! Do you have to Rahm like that in front of the children? ---
**Author:** ![palindromemordnilap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@palindromemordnilap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palindromemordnilap)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/14 "2009-06-01T17:28:18Z")
double post ---
**Author:** ![the\_first\_supraliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f475e1/32.png) [@the\_first\_supraliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_first_supraliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2009, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/15 "2009-06-04T04:52:46Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Um…those aren’t verbs… Hmm. Yes, I got sidetracked after the one verb example. Do you like the way Leno lately dangerfields his tie when he tells economy jokes? Nobody out-emeril’s the Food Network for kitchen shows. I’ve seen some soldiers schwarzkopfed in front of their squads and it isn’t pretty. My neighbor plans to octamom a large family in a short time ---
**Author:** ![Meeko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/verb-that-name/498187/16 "2009-06-06T02:30:24Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Um…those aren’t verbs… You are being a killjoy here. How Chessicsensensian of you. -OR- Of course they are verbs. Just not in the Chessic Sense.