fandangle
Silly decorative thing
A fandangle is an elaborate or useless ornament, or a nonsensical contrivance—something showy but without real substance or function.
The word often carries a dismissive tone, suggesting that the thing in question is unnecessarily complicated or merely decorative.
I don't need all these fandangles on my phone; I just want to make calls.
It can also refer to foolish or empty talk, though this sense is less common today.
Showy, worthless ornament
- trinketSmall worthless ornament
- gewgawCheap showy ornament
- gimcrackCheap, showy ornament
- knickknackSmall decorative object
tchotchke · doodad · bibelot · curio · novelty · bric-a-brac · frippery · finery
Novel small device
- gizmoNameless mechanical device
- doohickeyPlaceholder word for objects
- thingamajigPlaceholder for unnamed objects
- whatchamacallitStand-in for forgotten names
widget · apparatus · contrivance · device · mechanism · invention · doodad · whatnot
Senseless talk or writing
- poppycockFoolish or meaningless talk
- flimflamDeceptive scheme or nonsense
- hogwashFoolish or untrue talk
- claptrapInsincere, pretentious language
malarkey · tommyrot · twaddle · bunkum · piffle · hokum · codswallop · humbug
To grow vigorously
- frillsSuperfluous decorative elements
- trimmingCutting away excess
- adornmentDecorative addition or accessory
- garnishDecorative food topping
filigree · scrollwork · beading · lacework · brocade · engraving · inlay · marquetry
Showily excessive
- flashyShowy, often tastelessly so
- gaudyTastelessly ornate
- garishTastelessly showy
- flamboyantStrikingly bold in style
pretentious · overwrought · ornate · elaborate · extravagant · kitschy · glitzy · splashy
bauble
Showy, worthless ornament
knickknack · tchotchke · doodad · bibelot · curio · novelty · bric-a-brac · frippery · finery · bijou
gadget
Novel small device
- gizmoNameless mechanical device
- doohickeyPlaceholder word for objects
- thingamajigPlaceholder for unnamed objects
whatchamacallit · widget · apparatus · contrivance · device · mechanism · invention · doodad · whatnot · thingamabob
balderdash
Senseless talk or writing
- poppycockFoolish or meaningless talk
- flimflamDeceptive scheme or nonsense
- hogwashFoolish or untrue talk
claptrap · malarkey · tommyrot · twaddle · bunkum · piffle · hokum · codswallop · humbug · folderol
flourish
To grow vigorously
- frillsSuperfluous decorative elements
- trimmingCutting away excess
- adornmentDecorative addition or accessory
garnish · filigree · scrollwork · beading · lacework · brocade · engraving · inlay · marquetry · rococo
ostentatious
Showily excessive
flamboyant · pretentious · overwrought · ornate · elaborate · extravagant · kitschy · glitzy · splashy · loud
- thingamajigsthingamajig, thingamabob, whatchamacallit, doohickey, doodad
fandanglesimplicity
Lack of complexity
plainness · austerity · minimalism · unadorned · bare-bones
fandanglesubstance
Physical material with mass
essence · core · meat · heart of the matter · nuts and bolts