thingamabob
Americannoun
Usage
What does thingamabob mean? Thingamabob is a very informal word for an object whose name you don’t know, have forgotten, or can’t recall at the moment. It’s often used to refer to gadgets or parts of things that might not even have a commonly known name, as in Before we attach the bracket, we have to insert this thingamabob here. Thingamabob is sometimes used even if you know the name of the thing you’re referring to. It can be used to be dismissive or to downplay the importance or value of an object, such as when someone is admiring it, as in What, these old thingamabobs? I’ve got a whole boxful of ’em. Take as many as you want. Less commonly, it can be spelled as thingumabob or thingumbob. There are several other similarly informal words that are used in the same way, including thingamajig, thingy, whachamacallit, whatsit, doohickey, and doodad. Example: My kids got me one of those thingamabobs that track your steps. What’s it called? A stepometer?
Etymology
Origin of thingamabob
First recorded in 1835–45; see origin at thingamajig, bob 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mrs. Thingamabob doesn't know whether she asked us or not.
From The Adventure Club Afloat by Barbour, Ralph Henry
It's supposed to be the ghost of Lord Thingamabob, and I believe it is.
From Changing Winds A Novel by Ervine, St. John G. (St. John Greer)
There is a tablet on the front wall of the house, fixed by the London County Council, which says that Lord Thingamabob used to live here sometime in the eighteenth century.
From Changing Winds A Novel by Ervine, St. John G. (St. John Greer)
Mrs. Thingamabob happened to find Joe standing around and made him tell her his name, and then she took him off and introduced him to some girls, and then he introduced the rest of us.
From The Adventure Club Afloat by Barbour, Ralph Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
