Thingamabob: meaning, definitions and examples
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thingamabob
[ ˈθɪŋə məˌbɒb ]
informal reference
The term 'thingamabob' is used informally to refer to an object, gadget, or item whose name is unknown or forgotten. It serves as a placeholder when the speaker cannot recall a specific word or when it is not necessary to specify the item in question. This term captures a sense of a nonspecific or generic item, often conveying a humorous or casual tone. It is commonly used in conversations when describing objects in a light-hearted manner, particularly in creative or informal settings.
Synonyms
doohickey, gadget, thingamajig, whatchamacallit.
Examples of usage
- Can you pass me that thingamabob over there?
- I need a thingamabob to fix this machine.
- What's that thingamabob you used to open the lid?
- He always has a thingamabob for every task.
Translations
Translations of the word "thingamabob" in other languages:
🇵🇹 coisa
- objeto
- apetrecho
🇮🇳 चीज़
- वस्तु
- सामान
🇩🇪 Ding
- Teil
- Sache
🇮🇩 barang
- benda
- hal
🇺🇦 річ
- предмет
- всевозможне
🇵🇱 rzecz
- przedmiot
- coś
🇯🇵 もの
- 物
- 何か
🇫🇷 chose
- objet
- truc
🇪🇸 cosa
- objeto
- chisme
🇹🇷 şey
- nesne
- alet
🇰🇷 물건
- 물체
- 것
🇸🇦 شيء
- غرض
- أداة
🇨🇿 věc
- předmět
- kus
🇸🇰 vec
- predmet
- niečo
🇨🇳 东西
- 物品
- 东西
🇸🇮 stvar
- predmet
- neka stvar
🇮🇸 hlutur
- hlutir
- hlutur
🇰🇿 нәрсе
- зат
- бұйым
🇬🇪 შენახული
- საქონელი
- მოსახსენიებელი
🇦🇿 şey
- obyekt
- alat
🇲🇽 cosa
- objeto
- artículo
Etymology
The word 'thingamabob' likely originated in the early 20th century within American English as a playful term to describe an object whose name is forgotten or not known. It is possible that it evolved from other similar playful expressions like 'whatchamacallit' and 'thingamajig,' which serve similar purposes in conversation. The use of such terms often reflects a casual, humorous approach to communication, where precise terminology is less important than the ease of dialogue. Over time, 'thingamabob' became widely recognized and is often used in everyday speech, showcasing the flexibility and creativity inherent in language. The playful nature of the term evokes a sense of familiarity and lightness, making it a popular choice among speakers seeking to maintain a casual tone. As language continues to evolve, terms like 'thingamabob' exemplify how colloquial expressions can enrich communication by providing alternatives to more specific vocabulary.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,173, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.