Dinguses

/ˈdɪŋɡəsəz/ noun

Definition

Plural of 'dingus'—small gadgets, contraptions, or objects whose name you don't know or forget.

Etymology

From Yiddish 'dingus' (a thing), adopted into American English around the early 1900s as a playful substitute for 'thingamajig' or 'whatchamacallit.'

Kelly Says

Every language needs placeholder words for forgotten nouns—English borrowed 'dingus' from Yiddish, while we still use 'thingamabob,' 'doohickey,' and 'whatchamacallit'—they're our verbal shrugs!

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