whatchamacallits
Those unnamed things
Whatchamacallits is the plural of whatchamacallit, a placeholder word for something whose name you can't remember or don't know: Hand me that whatchamacallit—the thing with the handle.
It belongs to a family of similar fillers including thingamajig, doohickey, and whatnot.
The word represents a slurred pronunciation of "what you may call it."
Unnamed small object
- gizmoNameless mechanical device
- doohickeyPlaceholder word for objects
- thingummyPlaceholder for forgotten names
- whatsisPlaceholder for forgotten name
thingamabob · thingy · dingus · oojah · gubbins · watchamacallit · whatnot · so-and-so
Novel small device
- widgetUnspecified small device
- contraptionImprovised or odd mechanism
- deviceConstructed tool or machine
- apparatusEquipment for a task
mechanism · gizmo · implement · tool · instrument · contrivance · appliance · equipment
Memory retrieval failure state
- lapseBrief failure or expiration
- blankWithout marks or content
- forgetfulnessFailure to retain information
- brain-fartBrief cognitive malfunction
absentmindedness · word-finding · recall · retrieval · blocking · fumbling
doodad
Unnamed small object
- gizmoNameless mechanical device
- doohickeyPlaceholder word for objects
- thingummyPlaceholder for forgotten names
whatsis · thingamabob · thingy · dingus · oojah · gubbins · watchamacallit · whatnot · so-and-so · such-and-such
gadget
Novel small device
- widgetUnspecified small device
- contraptionImprovised or odd mechanism
- deviceConstructed tool or machine
apparatus · mechanism · gizmo · implement · tool · instrument · contrivance · appliance · equipment · utensil
tip-of-the-tongue
Memory retrieval failure state
- lapseBrief failure or expiration
- blankWithout marks or content
- forgetfulnessFailure to retain information
brain-fart · absentmindedness · word-finding · recall · retrieval · blocking · fumbling
whatchamacallitstechnical terms
Specialized words within fields
proper names · brand names · definite articles · known quantities