Name for words like whatchamacallit, doohickey, thingamabob [duplicate]
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This question already has an answer here:
Term for using “thingy-esque” phrases rather than a common word
8 answers
Is there a name for words like whatchamacallit, doohickey, thingamabob, doodad, thingamajig, whatsit, etc.?
Somehow it seems like there should be a word to describe the general term for a word that you use for referring to something when you cannot remember what it is called.
(Computing names like foo, bar, baz are examples of metasyntactic variables but those are a slightly different category.)
single-word-requests
asked Feb 6 at 19:47
Jason SJason S
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Feb 7 at 23:17
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
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This question already has an answer here:
Term for using “thingy-esque” phrases rather than a common word
8 answers
Is there a name for words like whatchamacallit, doohickey, thingamabob, doodad, thingamajig, whatsit, etc.?
Somehow it seems like there should be a word to describe the general term for a word that you use for referring to something when you cannot remember what it is called.
(Computing names like foo, bar, baz are examples of metasyntactic variables but those are a slightly different category.)
single-word-requests
asked Feb 6 at 19:47
Jason SJason S
4932619
marked as duplicate by Hugo, Mazura, Mari-Lou A single-word-requests
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Feb 7 at 23:17
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
1
It's idiosyncratic but related: atlasobscura.com/articles/…
– user662852
Feb 6 at 21:02
2
According to John Lawler, they're called Nonce Forms
– ale10ander
Feb 6 at 21:13
They're all dingbobs for dodaddles!
– Hot Licks
Feb 6 at 23:23
1
@ale10ander: with all due respect for John Lawler, a nonce word is a newly-coined word which is used once for a specific meaing, whereas a placeholder like "whatchamacallit" is a widely-agreed-upon form which can be used as a substitute for arbitrary terms.
– rici
Feb 7 at 2:22
I like placeholder but if you want another option: stand-in.
– aparente001
Feb 7 at 6:46
|
show 1 more comment
This question already has an answer here:
Term for using “thingy-esque” phrases rather than a common word
8 answers
Is there a name for words like whatchamacallit, doohickey, thingamabob, doodad, thingamajig, whatsit, etc.?
Somehow it seems like there should be a word to describe the general term for a word that you use for referring to something when you cannot remember what it is called.
(Computing names like foo, bar, baz are examples of metasyntactic variables but those are a slightly different category.)
single-word-requests
asked Feb 6 at 19:47
Jason SJason S
4932619
This question already has an answer here:
Term for using “thingy-esque” phrases rather than a common word
8 answers
Is there a name for words like whatchamacallit, doohickey, thingamabob, doodad, thingamajig, whatsit, etc.?
Somehow it seems like there should be a word to describe the general term for a word that you use for referring to something when you cannot remember what it is called.
(Computing names like foo, bar, baz are examples of metasyntactic variables but those are a slightly different category.)
This question already has an answer here:
Term for using “thingy-esque” phrases rather than a common word
8 answers
single-word-requests
single-word-requests
asked Feb 6 at 19:47
Jason SJason S
4932619
asked Feb 6 at 19:47
Jason SJason S
4932619
asked Feb 6 at 19:47
Jason SJason S
4932619
asked Feb 6 at 19:47
Jason SJason S
4932619
asked Feb 6 at 19:47
Jason SJason S
4932619
4932619
marked as duplicate by Hugo, Mazura, Mari-Lou A single-word-requests
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Feb 7 at 23:17
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Feb 7 at 23:17
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
1
It's idiosyncratic but related: atlasobscura.com/articles/…
– user662852
Feb 6 at 21:02
2
According to John Lawler, they're called Nonce Forms
– ale10ander
Feb 6 at 21:13
They're all dingbobs for dodaddles!
– Hot Licks
Feb 6 at 23:23
1
@ale10ander: with all due respect for John Lawler, a nonce word is a newly-coined word which is used once for a specific meaing, whereas a placeholder like "whatchamacallit" is a widely-agreed-upon form which can be used as a substitute for arbitrary terms.
– rici
Feb 7 at 2:22
I like placeholder but if you want another option: stand-in.
– aparente001
Feb 7 at 6:46
|
show 1 more comment
1
It's idiosyncratic but related: atlasobscura.com/articles/…
– user662852
Feb 6 at 21:02
2
According to John Lawler, they're called Nonce Forms
– ale10ander
Feb 6 at 21:13
They're all dingbobs for dodaddles!
– Hot Licks
Feb 6 at 23:23
1
@ale10ander: with all due respect for John Lawler, a nonce word is a newly-coined word which is used once for a specific meaing, whereas a placeholder like "whatchamacallit" is a widely-agreed-upon form which can be used as a substitute for arbitrary terms.
– rici
Feb 7 at 2:22
I like placeholder but if you want another option: stand-in.
– aparente001
Feb 7 at 6:46
1
1
It's idiosyncratic but related: atlasobscura.com/articles/…
– user662852
Feb 6 at 21:02
It's idiosyncratic but related: atlasobscura.com/articles/…
– user662852
Feb 6 at 21:02
2
2
According to John Lawler, they're called Nonce Forms
– ale10ander
Feb 6 at 21:13
According to John Lawler, they're called Nonce Forms
– ale10ander
Feb 6 at 21:13
They're all dingbobs for dodaddles!
– Hot Licks
Feb 6 at 23:23
They're all dingbobs for dodaddles!
– Hot Licks
Feb 6 at 23:23
1
1
@ale10ander: with all due respect for John Lawler, a nonce word is a newly-coined word which is used once for a specific meaing, whereas a placeholder like "whatchamacallit" is a widely-agreed-upon form which can be used as a substitute for arbitrary terms.
– rici
Feb 7 at 2:22
@ale10ander: with all due respect for John Lawler, a nonce word is a newly-coined word which is used once for a specific meaing, whereas a placeholder like "whatchamacallit" is a widely-agreed-upon form which can be used as a substitute for arbitrary terms.
– rici
Feb 7 at 2:22
I like placeholder but if you want another option: stand-in.
– aparente001
Feb 7 at 6:46
I like placeholder but if you want another option: stand-in.
– aparente001
Feb 7 at 6:46
|
show 1 more comment
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
These are placeholders:
A placeholder is a word (such as whatchamacallit) used by speakers to signal that they don't know or can't remember a more precise word for something. Also known as a kadigan, tongue-tipper, and dummy noun.
ThoughtCo.
answered Feb 6 at 20:04
LaurelLaurel
34.9k668121
1
that would be a reasonable answer... except that if I look upplaceholderin a dictionary I get no reference to whatchamacallit, etc. (see dictionary.com/browse/placeholder and dictionary.com/browse/placeholder)
– Jason S
Feb 6 at 21:02
See for example en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placeholder_name
– Hugo
Feb 6 at 21:19
4
@JasonS You seem to have given the same link twice. Also, dictionary.com doesn't typically give examples in that sense; a Ford Fiesta is a car even though it isn't mentioned at dictionary.com/browse/car
– Kamil Drakari
Feb 6 at 21:38
3
I was surprised by @JasonS's comment, but I checked a few dictionaries and found that a surprising number of them refer to placeholder as being either mathematical or political terminology. As a long-time native speaker, I am 100% sure this word is much more widely used than in just those specific fields. It's very easy to find countless examples in popular culture, literature, science, sports, etc.
– barbecue
Feb 7 at 1:54
@barbecue What seems especially strange to me is that I've rarely, if ever, seen it used in the two contexts given. In math, generally the term "placeholder" was quickly replaced with "variable" in most instances. I don't think I've ever heard of someone in a political position referred to as a "placeholder" under those circumstances.
– JMac
Feb 7 at 14:25
add a comment |
Although not a single word, you can call them "Vague Expressions"
. . .
We can use vague expressions when we are not sure of the name of something.
. . .
› Spoken English
In very informal speaking, we sometimes say /ˈwɒtʃjəməkɔ:lɪt/, /ˈwɒtʃjəməkɔ:lɪm/, /ˈθɪŋəmi/, /ˈθɪŋəmədʒɪg/... [cambridge.org/grammar]
The grammar article doesn't list all the question examples but I think they can be safely put in the same category. I am unaware of there being a single word with the precise meaning of "vague expression".
If you wanted to use a synecdoche figure of speech you could call them, say, "something-or-others" as in "Their explanation used too many something-or-others instead of the correct words for things".
answered Feb 6 at 23:15
traktor53traktor53
60338
4
If 'it' is the concept, then it -is- a vague expression, but that's not what you -call- it. And we're looking for what you call it.
– Mitch
Feb 6 at 23:46
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
These are placeholders:
A placeholder is a word (such as whatchamacallit) used by speakers to signal that they don't know or can't remember a more precise word for something. Also known as a kadigan, tongue-tipper, and dummy noun.
ThoughtCo.
answered Feb 6 at 20:04
LaurelLaurel
34.9k668121
1
that would be a reasonable answer... except that if I look upplaceholderin a dictionary I get no reference to whatchamacallit, etc. (see dictionary.com/browse/placeholder and dictionary.com/browse/placeholder)
– Jason S
Feb 6 at 21:02
See for example en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placeholder_name
– Hugo
Feb 6 at 21:19
4
@JasonS You seem to have given the same link twice. Also, dictionary.com doesn't typically give examples in that sense; a Ford Fiesta is a car even though it isn't mentioned at dictionary.com/browse/car
– Kamil Drakari
Feb 6 at 21:38
3
I was surprised by @JasonS's comment, but I checked a few dictionaries and found that a surprising number of them refer to placeholder as being either mathematical or political terminology. As a long-time native speaker, I am 100% sure this word is much more widely used than in just those specific fields. It's very easy to find countless examples in popular culture, literature, science, sports, etc.
– barbecue
Feb 7 at 1:54
@barbecue What seems especially strange to me is that I've rarely, if ever, seen it used in the two contexts given. In math, generally the term "placeholder" was quickly replaced with "variable" in most instances. I don't think I've ever heard of someone in a political position referred to as a "placeholder" under those circumstances.
– JMac
Feb 7 at 14:25
add a comment |
These are placeholders:
A placeholder is a word (such as whatchamacallit) used by speakers to signal that they don't know or can't remember a more precise word for something. Also known as a kadigan, tongue-tipper, and dummy noun.
ThoughtCo.
answered Feb 6 at 20:04
LaurelLaurel
34.9k668121
1
that would be a reasonable answer... except that if I look upplaceholderin a dictionary I get no reference to whatchamacallit, etc. (see dictionary.com/browse/placeholder and dictionary.com/browse/placeholder)
– Jason S
Feb 6 at 21:02
See for example en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placeholder_name
– Hugo
Feb 6 at 21:19
4
@JasonS You seem to have given the same link twice. Also, dictionary.com doesn't typically give examples in that sense; a Ford Fiesta is a car even though it isn't mentioned at dictionary.com/browse/car
– Kamil Drakari
Feb 6 at 21:38
3
I was surprised by @JasonS's comment, but I checked a few dictionaries and found that a surprising number of them refer to placeholder as being either mathematical or political terminology. As a long-time native speaker, I am 100% sure this word is much more widely used than in just those specific fields. It's very easy to find countless examples in popular culture, literature, science, sports, etc.
– barbecue
Feb 7 at 1:54
@barbecue What seems especially strange to me is that I've rarely, if ever, seen it used in the two contexts given. In math, generally the term "placeholder" was quickly replaced with "variable" in most instances. I don't think I've ever heard of someone in a political position referred to as a "placeholder" under those circumstances.
– JMac
Feb 7 at 14:25
add a comment |
These are placeholders:
A placeholder is a word (such as whatchamacallit) used by speakers to signal that they don't know or can't remember a more precise word for something. Also known as a kadigan, tongue-tipper, and dummy noun.
ThoughtCo.
answered Feb 6 at 20:04
LaurelLaurel
34.9k668121
These are placeholders:
A placeholder is a word (such as whatchamacallit) used by speakers to signal that they don't know or can't remember a more precise word for something. Also known as a kadigan, tongue-tipper, and dummy noun.
ThoughtCo.
answered Feb 6 at 20:04
LaurelLaurel
34.9k668121
answered Feb 6 at 20:04
LaurelLaurel
34.9k668121
answered Feb 6 at 20:04
LaurelLaurel
34.9k668121
answered Feb 6 at 20:04
LaurelLaurel
34.9k668121
34.9k668121
1
that would be a reasonable answer... except that if I look upplaceholderin a dictionary I get no reference to whatchamacallit, etc. (see dictionary.com/browse/placeholder and dictionary.com/browse/placeholder)
– Jason S
Feb 6 at 21:02
See for example en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placeholder_name
– Hugo
Feb 6 at 21:19
4
@JasonS You seem to have given the same link twice. Also, dictionary.com doesn't typically give examples in that sense; a Ford Fiesta is a car even though it isn't mentioned at dictionary.com/browse/car
– Kamil Drakari
Feb 6 at 21:38
3
I was surprised by @JasonS's comment, but I checked a few dictionaries and found that a surprising number of them refer to placeholder as being either mathematical or political terminology. As a long-time native speaker, I am 100% sure this word is much more widely used than in just those specific fields. It's very easy to find countless examples in popular culture, literature, science, sports, etc.
– barbecue
Feb 7 at 1:54
@barbecue What seems especially strange to me is that I've rarely, if ever, seen it used in the two contexts given. In math, generally the term "placeholder" was quickly replaced with "variable" in most instances. I don't think I've ever heard of someone in a political position referred to as a "placeholder" under those circumstances.
– JMac
Feb 7 at 14:25
add a comment |
1
that would be a reasonable answer... except that if I look upplaceholderin a dictionary I get no reference to whatchamacallit, etc. (see dictionary.com/browse/placeholder and dictionary.com/browse/placeholder)
– Jason S
Feb 6 at 21:02
See for example en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placeholder_name
– Hugo
Feb 6 at 21:19
4
@JasonS You seem to have given the same link twice. Also, dictionary.com doesn't typically give examples in that sense; a Ford Fiesta is a car even though it isn't mentioned at dictionary.com/browse/car
– Kamil Drakari
Feb 6 at 21:38
3
I was surprised by @JasonS's comment, but I checked a few dictionaries and found that a surprising number of them refer to placeholder as being either mathematical or political terminology. As a long-time native speaker, I am 100% sure this word is much more widely used than in just those specific fields. It's very easy to find countless examples in popular culture, literature, science, sports, etc.
– barbecue
Feb 7 at 1:54
@barbecue What seems especially strange to me is that I've rarely, if ever, seen it used in the two contexts given. In math, generally the term "placeholder" was quickly replaced with "variable" in most instances. I don't think I've ever heard of someone in a political position referred to as a "placeholder" under those circumstances.
– JMac
Feb 7 at 14:25
1
1
that would be a reasonable answer... except that if I look up
placeholder in a dictionary I get no reference to whatchamacallit, etc. (see dictionary.com/browse/placeholder and dictionary.com/browse/placeholder)– Jason S
Feb 6 at 21:02
that would be a reasonable answer... except that if I look up
placeholder in a dictionary I get no reference to whatchamacallit, etc. (see dictionary.com/browse/placeholder and dictionary.com/browse/placeholder)– Jason S
Feb 6 at 21:02
See for example en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placeholder_name
– Hugo
Feb 6 at 21:19
See for example en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placeholder_name
– Hugo
Feb 6 at 21:19
4
4
@JasonS You seem to have given the same link twice. Also, dictionary.com doesn't typically give examples in that sense; a Ford Fiesta is a car even though it isn't mentioned at dictionary.com/browse/car
– Kamil Drakari
Feb 6 at 21:38
@JasonS You seem to have given the same link twice. Also, dictionary.com doesn't typically give examples in that sense; a Ford Fiesta is a car even though it isn't mentioned at dictionary.com/browse/car
– Kamil Drakari
Feb 6 at 21:38
3
3
I was surprised by @JasonS's comment, but I checked a few dictionaries and found that a surprising number of them refer to placeholder as being either mathematical or political terminology. As a long-time native speaker, I am 100% sure this word is much more widely used than in just those specific fields. It's very easy to find countless examples in popular culture, literature, science, sports, etc.
– barbecue
Feb 7 at 1:54
I was surprised by @JasonS's comment, but I checked a few dictionaries and found that a surprising number of them refer to placeholder as being either mathematical or political terminology. As a long-time native speaker, I am 100% sure this word is much more widely used than in just those specific fields. It's very easy to find countless examples in popular culture, literature, science, sports, etc.
– barbecue
Feb 7 at 1:54
@barbecue What seems especially strange to me is that I've rarely, if ever, seen it used in the two contexts given. In math, generally the term "placeholder" was quickly replaced with "variable" in most instances. I don't think I've ever heard of someone in a political position referred to as a "placeholder" under those circumstances.
– JMac
Feb 7 at 14:25
@barbecue What seems especially strange to me is that I've rarely, if ever, seen it used in the two contexts given. In math, generally the term "placeholder" was quickly replaced with "variable" in most instances. I don't think I've ever heard of someone in a political position referred to as a "placeholder" under those circumstances.
– JMac
Feb 7 at 14:25
add a comment |
Although not a single word, you can call them "Vague Expressions"
. . .
We can use vague expressions when we are not sure of the name of something.
. . .
› Spoken English
In very informal speaking, we sometimes say /ˈwɒtʃjəməkɔ:lɪt/, /ˈwɒtʃjəməkɔ:lɪm/, /ˈθɪŋəmi/, /ˈθɪŋəmədʒɪg/... [cambridge.org/grammar]
The grammar article doesn't list all the question examples but I think they can be safely put in the same category. I am unaware of there being a single word with the precise meaning of "vague expression".
If you wanted to use a synecdoche figure of speech you could call them, say, "something-or-others" as in "Their explanation used too many something-or-others instead of the correct words for things".
answered Feb 6 at 23:15
traktor53traktor53
60338
4
If 'it' is the concept, then it -is- a vague expression, but that's not what you -call- it. And we're looking for what you call it.
– Mitch
Feb 6 at 23:46
add a comment |
Although not a single word, you can call them "Vague Expressions"
. . .
We can use vague expressions when we are not sure of the name of something.
. . .
› Spoken English
In very informal speaking, we sometimes say /ˈwɒtʃjəməkɔ:lɪt/, /ˈwɒtʃjəməkɔ:lɪm/, /ˈθɪŋəmi/, /ˈθɪŋəmədʒɪg/... [cambridge.org/grammar]
The grammar article doesn't list all the question examples but I think they can be safely put in the same category. I am unaware of there being a single word with the precise meaning of "vague expression".
If you wanted to use a synecdoche figure of speech you could call them, say, "something-or-others" as in "Their explanation used too many something-or-others instead of the correct words for things".
answered Feb 6 at 23:15
traktor53traktor53
60338
4
If 'it' is the concept, then it -is- a vague expression, but that's not what you -call- it. And we're looking for what you call it.
– Mitch
Feb 6 at 23:46
add a comment |
Although not a single word, you can call them "Vague Expressions"
. . .
We can use vague expressions when we are not sure of the name of something.
. . .
› Spoken English
In very informal speaking, we sometimes say /ˈwɒtʃjəməkɔ:lɪt/, /ˈwɒtʃjəməkɔ:lɪm/, /ˈθɪŋəmi/, /ˈθɪŋəmədʒɪg/... [cambridge.org/grammar]
The grammar article doesn't list all the question examples but I think they can be safely put in the same category. I am unaware of there being a single word with the precise meaning of "vague expression".
If you wanted to use a synecdoche figure of speech you could call them, say, "something-or-others" as in "Their explanation used too many something-or-others instead of the correct words for things".
answered Feb 6 at 23:15
traktor53traktor53
60338
Although not a single word, you can call them "Vague Expressions"
. . .
We can use vague expressions when we are not sure of the name of something.
. . .
› Spoken English
In very informal speaking, we sometimes say /ˈwɒtʃjəməkɔ:lɪt/, /ˈwɒtʃjəməkɔ:lɪm/, /ˈθɪŋəmi/, /ˈθɪŋəmədʒɪg/... [cambridge.org/grammar]
The grammar article doesn't list all the question examples but I think they can be safely put in the same category. I am unaware of there being a single word with the precise meaning of "vague expression".
If you wanted to use a synecdoche figure of speech you could call them, say, "something-or-others" as in "Their explanation used too many something-or-others instead of the correct words for things".
answered Feb 6 at 23:15
traktor53traktor53
60338
edited Feb 6 at 23:38
answered Feb 6 at 23:15
traktor53traktor53
60338
answered Feb 6 at 23:15
traktor53traktor53
60338
answered Feb 6 at 23:15
traktor53traktor53
60338
60338
4
If 'it' is the concept, then it -is- a vague expression, but that's not what you -call- it. And we're looking for what you call it.
– Mitch
Feb 6 at 23:46
add a comment |
4
If 'it' is the concept, then it -is- a vague expression, but that's not what you -call- it. And we're looking for what you call it.
– Mitch
Feb 6 at 23:46
4
4
If 'it' is the concept, then it -is- a vague expression, but that's not what you -call- it. And we're looking for what you call it.
– Mitch
Feb 6 at 23:46
If 'it' is the concept, then it -is- a vague expression, but that's not what you -call- it. And we're looking for what you call it.
– Mitch
Feb 6 at 23:46
add a comment |
1
It's idiosyncratic but related: atlasobscura.com/articles/…
– user662852
Feb 6 at 21:02
2
According to John Lawler, they're called Nonce Forms
– ale10ander
Feb 6 at 21:13
They're all dingbobs for dodaddles!
– Hot Licks
Feb 6 at 23:23
1
@ale10ander: with all due respect for John Lawler, a nonce word is a newly-coined word which is used once for a specific meaing, whereas a placeholder like "whatchamacallit" is a widely-agreed-upon form which can be used as a substitute for arbitrary terms.
– rici
Feb 7 at 2:22
I like placeholder but if you want another option: stand-in.
– aparente001
Feb 7 at 6:46