Thingie

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An informal term referring to an object, item, or gadget whose specific name or function is not known or has been forgotten; often used to express uncertainty about what something is; it can also denote a small, trivial, or unimportant object whose details are not crucial to a conversation
2. A colloquial expression to describe an unspecified or vague object or tool, often used in casual conversation when the exact term eludes the speaker; it signifies an element that is inconsequential or somewhat playful in nature; it can also refer to an endearing or diminutive version of an object in informal contexts
3. A casual way to refer to an item or thing whose name is either unknown or unremembered; this word conveys a sense of informality and can imply a level of affection or whimsy; it is often employed when the item being referenced is not central to the discussion at hand

Etymology: "Thingie" is formed from "thing" plus the diminutive suffix "-ie" (also spelled "-y" or "-ey"), so its real story is the story of a very old, very vague noun. "Thing" descends from Proto-Germanic "þingą", which meant a public assembly or gathering where disputes were settled. Over time the word moved from the assembly to the matter under discussion, and from that matter to any object or affair at all, which is why "thing" can now stand for almost anything. The diminutive ending has its own long history. It came into English through Old English "-iġ" and Middle English "-y", and it was used to make pet names and small or affectionate forms. Attached to "thing", it turns a general word into a cosy label for something whose name has slipped away or is not worth recalling.

Synonyms: thing, object, item, widget, gadget