Grappling in Peoria

Dear Neologist:

I am attempting to disguise my obsessive-compulsive behaviors by convincing myself that magic is real, & if I circle the dining room table three times counter-clockwise, I will win the World Wrestling
Federation title to which I am actually entitled.

All I need now is the word for what I'm trying to do. When I say it three times fast, it will work.

Signed,
Grappling in Peoria

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Dear Grappling,

Why would you want to disguise your obsessive-compulsive tendencies? Didn't you get the memo? The geeks have inherited the Earth. Washing your hands 20 times before lunch and arranging your ball point pens by order of ink depletion may actually win you friends these days.

But the Neologist isn't here to judge, of course, but to neologize. The word you're looking for is

Charme-ähnliche Persönlichkeitstarnung
f, shurm'-ain'-lick-kuh per-zoan'-lick-kites-tar'-noong
(charm-approximating personality camouflage)

The scientific name would be semi-dissociative pseudo-Aspergers -- or Hoffman's Disease. A variant of the disease did, of course, do wonders for the professional wrestling career or Andy Kaufman, but for legal reasons the Neologist will have to refrain from advising you in the oiled-up arts. That said, it never hurts to have a folding chair handy.

The Neologist