Whatchamacallit: meaning, definitions and examples

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whatchamacallit

 

[ ˈwɑːtʃəˌmɑːkəˌlɪt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

informal reference

Whatchamacallit is a term used when the speaker cannot recall the actual name of something, or when they want to avoid specifying the name. It's often used in casual conversation to refer to an object, person, or concept that is not readily identifiable.

Synonyms

doohickey, gizmo, thingamabob, thingamajig

Examples of usage

  • Can you pass me that whatchamacallit over there?
  • I was trying to remember the name of that movie, but all I could say was whatchamacallit.
  • You know, the thingamajig or whatchamacallit that we used last week!
  • What's the name of that, I always forget—oh, you know, the whatchamacallit that holds your phone.

Translations

Translations of the word "whatchamacallit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 coisa

🇮🇳 क्या नाम है

🇩🇪 Dingsda

🇮🇩 sesuatu

🇺🇦 чортзнащо

🇵🇱 coś

🇯🇵 あれ

🇫🇷 truc

🇪🇸 cosa

🇹🇷 şey

🇰🇷 그것

🇸🇦 شيء

🇨🇿 věc

🇸🇰 vec

🇨🇳 东西

🇸🇮 stvar

🇮🇸 hlutur

🇰🇿 нәрсе

🇬🇪 ყველაფერი

🇦🇿 şey

🇲🇽 cosa

Etymology

The term 'whatchamacallit' originated in the early 20th century. Its etymology is believed to stem from a colloquial contraction of the phrase 'what you may call it.' This formation reflects an informal approach to language, where straightforwardness is prioritized over precision. The first appearances of 'whatchamacallit' in print date back to the 1910s and 1920s, often manifesting in literary works and dialogues that aimed to capture the everyday speech of Americans. As a lexical item, it exemplifies the playful and adaptable nature of conversational English, illustrating how language evolves to accommodate speakers' needs for ease and relatability. Over the decades, whatchamacallit has become embedded in popular culture and everyday language, manifesting as a whimsical placeholder for things whose names are forgotten or are considered irrelevant to the conversation at hand.