doohickey colloq. (orig. and chiefly U.S.).
(ˈduːhɪkɪ)
Also dohickey, doohicky.
[f. doodad + hickey.]
Any small object, esp. mechanical; a ‘thingummy’ (see also quot. 1928).
| 1914 Our Navy (U.S.) Nov. 12 We were compelled to christen articles beyond our ken with such names as ‘do-hickeys’, ‘gadgets’ and ‘gilguys’. 1925 Fraser & Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 81 Doo hicky, an airman's term for any small, detachable fitting. 1928 Sunday Dispatch 30 Sept. 10/2 He offered to run me down in the old doohicky—his latest, though second-hand car. 1949 R. Chandler Little Sister vii. 45 A pencil..broke its point on the glass doohickey under one of the desk legs. 1967 A. Lurie Imaginary Friends iv. 44 Just unhitch that dohickey there with a wrench. |