Jimcrack

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A phrase indicating a frivolous or low-quality item that is not of great importance or utility
2. A description of a minor or worthless object that is often disregarded and holds little significance in value
3. Something considered trivial and lacking in worth or value

Etymology: Gimcrack, and its spelling variant jimcrack, names something flashy, cheap and worthless, and its origin is unknown. What can be said is that the word has long been used for ornamental trifles: small showy objects that look valuable but serve no real purpose. Its sound suggests a lively, mocking quality, and that seems fitting for things made to catch the eye rather than to last. The word is most often used as an adjective for such objects, as in a gimcrack ornament or a jimcrack gadget, but here it appears as a noun, naming the trinkets themselves. Because nobody has traced its roots with confidence, no ancestor language can be credited, and the word is best understood simply as an English term whose early history has been lost.

Synonyms: trinket, gimmick