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Thingamajig Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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thingamajig

[หˆฮธษชล‹ษ™หŒmรฆdส’ษชษก ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

informal term

The term 'thingamajig' is used informally to refer to an object or item whose name is either unknown or temporarily forgotten. It is often employed when someone cannot recall the specific name of an item, making it a convenient placeholder. This whimsical word reflects a light-hearted approach to referencing miscellaneous or insignificant objects. It is particularly common in casual conversation and can be used to describe anything from tools to gadgets.

Synonyms

doohickey, gizmo, thingy, whatchamacallit.

Examples of usage

  • Can you hand me that thingamajig over there?
  • I need a thingamajig to fix my car.
  • What's that thingamajig called again?
  • He always has a thingamajig for everything.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'thingamajig'

The word 'thingamajig' is believed to have originated in the early 20th century in the United States. It is a compound of the word 'thing,' which comes from the Old English 'รพing,' meaning 'an object or entity,' and 'majig,' which is likely a playful distortion of another term like 'jig' or 'gizmo.' The playful nature of the term reflects a societal tendency to create whimsical language in informal contexts. Its use in everyday speech suggests a kind of linguistic creativity, allowing people to describe objects without the need for specificity, which can often enhance communication in casual settings. Over the decades, it has gained popularity and has become part of colloquial vocabulary, showing how language evolves to accommodate the needs of speakers.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,287, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.