Definitions by AKACroatalin

Necrophobia 

Necrophobia is the irrational fear of corpses, not just those of people but animals as well. Also included in this fear are the people, objects and ceremonies associated with death such as undertakers, morticians, coffins, tombstones, cemeteries and funerals. In a another way necrophobia could also be used to mean a fear of the dead by a cultural group, that their spirits will return to haunt the living, causing them harm in some way.

In some cultures necrophobia would be totally alien as the dead are welcome among the living.

Necrophobia by AKACroatalin June 12, 2015

Counterproductive Workplace Behaviour 

This is behaviour on the part of an employee or employees that works against the legitimate interests of the organisation that employs them or indeed their own interests. This sort of behaviour is detrimental to the organisation, its employees, clients and customers. It is believed that persons with a tendency to experience anger are more likely to respond to a stressful situation, such as being treated unfairly with counterproductive workplace behaviour.

When the supervisor blamed Charlie for his own mistake, Charlie deliberately jammed all three photocopiers in a fit of counterproductive workplace behaviour.

Counterproductive Workplace Behaviour by AKACroatalin June 11, 2015

Snotrag 

A handkerchief or tissue. It is usually applied to a handkerchief or tissue that has been used and when examined the contents make you want to puke and you wonder whether you might have snorted out brain matter, as the product is foul, disgusting and should be classed as a biohazard. The word can be used to describe someone who has the same effect on people, a vile creature who makes the skin crawl and whose presence makes falling face first into a gangrenous cowpat seem positively pleasant in comparison.

“That snotrag should be burned!”
“Handkerchief or person?”
“Yes.”

Snotrag by AKACroatalin June 11, 2015

Multi-purpose 

It means having numerous uses, being versatile or capable of being used for a great many different things.

The Swiss Army Knife is a multi-purpose tool.

Multi-purpose by AKACroatalin June 9, 2015

Americanism 

An Americanism is a word, phrase or expression, commonly used in the United States, that has managed to escape from America to pollute the wider English language.

Each Americanism subverts the integrity of the English language.

Americanism by AKACroatalin June 9, 2015

All talk and no action 

All talk and no action is a description that can be applied to the chattering classes, certain politicians, incompetent managers, just about anyone who talks a lot, usually rubbish or irrelevancies, about a problem or situation but does sod all to resolve it. It can also be applied to males or females who talk a lot about sex, but when it comes down to getting physical run a mile

“How did you get on with that bird from HR last night?”
“Waste of time, all talk and no action.”

All talk and no action by AKACroatalin June 9, 2015

Namby-pamby 

A namby-pamby (plural namby-pambies) is someone, usually a male, who is overly weak, sentimental or indecisive. It was a play on the name of Ambrose Philips, who wrote sickeningly sentimental poems for children. The nickname was devised by Henry Carey, a poet and songwriter, who wrote “God Save the Queen” and “My Country ‘tis of Thee”. It was popularized, however, by Alexander Pope in his satirical epic “The Dunciad”. It can also be used as an adjective meaning weak or spineless, lacking vigour or decisiveness, and overly sentimental.

The poet Ambrose Philips was the original Namby-Pamby.

Namby-pamby by AKACroatalin June 9, 2015