The word "verticality" is a challenge, much like calling bastard rules for "shotgun". It's along the lines of not it and earlobe touching. The process is simple--the loser is determined by verticality when a difficult task is to be handed out, e.g. "Who's going to wash grandma's corns?"

A person who feels that their reflexes are fast enough can, instead of touching their earlobe or calling "not it" can holler "verticality" and drop to the floor as quickly as possible. The goal is to be completely horizontal first (and no, it shouldn't be called "horizontality"--that's just silly). Despite the chaos that this breeds, it's usually very clear who the loser is. In a small room, they're the one on top of the pile. Not to be confused with last man standing. Originally associated with a cappella and theatre groups at JHU, most notably the Mental Notes.

Ver`ti*cal"i*ty (?), n.

The quality or state of being vertical; verticalness.

[R.]

The different points of the verticality. Sir T. Browne.

 

© Webster 1913.

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