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Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun something unspecified whose name is either forgotten or not known
  2. noun a device or control that is very useful for a particular job

Etymology

Coined by American playwright George S. Kaufman in 1924 in his play Beggar on Horseback (1924). The preface to the 1924 play credits an earlier German work from 1911 https://digital.ulb.hhu.de/download/pdf/5670231.pdf where there is an actor Elisabeth Wigge.

In classic literature

Synonyms

doodad, doohickey, doojigger, gimmick, gizmo, gismo, gubbins, thingamabob, thingumabob, thingmabob, thingamajig, thingumajig, thingmajig, thingummy, whatchamacallit, whatchamacallum, whatsis

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