swilk and swilk: see such, adj. pron.16b (Cf. A. 4.)

That which exists individually (in the most general sense, in fact or in idea); that which is or may… Used indefinitely to denote something which…

= what-d'ye-call-'em, n.

who knows what, †you know (also wot) not what.

I don't know (also †I know not, †I wot not) what.

God (also (the) Lord) knows (also wot) what. Cf. lord, n. int.phrases 2c, god, n. int.phrases 1d(b)(iii).

Apparently a corruption of what shall I call (it) or what do you call it.

An appellation for a thing or person whose name the speaker forgets, does not know or wish to mention, or thinks not worth mentioning. Also occasi…

An indefinite phrase (= ‘such a thing, person, number,’ etc.) used in place of a more lengthy statement, or as a substitute for an expression or…

Of doubtful origin and meaning; perhaps a slang term denoting ‘thingumbob’, ‘what-d'ye-call-it’; but cf. whibble quibble, n. Forms and quiblin, n.

Such and such a thing.

Something odd or fanciful; a bauble, toy, knick-knack; something which one does not choose to name or specify: = thingamabob, n. (Rarely applied to…

An indescribable thing; a ‘whatchamacallit’. Also with the: that which is indescribable or unknown.

colloquial. = thingummy, n. In early use (with reference to a person) also Mr Thingum (cf. thing, n.1 16a).

= sense 2.

Substituted for the name of a man or boy (loosely, of a thing) which the speaker forgets, does not know, or is unwilling to mention.

something or other, = sense A. 1a A. 1b.

A thing or (less commonly) person of which the speaker or writer cannot at the moment recall the name, or which he or she is unable to or does not…

= thingummy, n.

Used as a substitute for a name or part of one, or other particular, which is not remembered or is immaterial, etc. Also used as a substitute for a…

(of a woman or girl)

A thing that one is puzzled to name, a ‘what-d'ye-call-it’. rare.

= thingummy, n.

= thingummy, n.

Used as a substitute for a personal name. Also somebody-or(-the)-other.

(of a thing)

An imaginary creature.

= thingummy, n.

colloquial (chiefly North American and South African). A thing, esp. a gadget or contraption, or (less commonly) a person, whose name the speaker or…

Usually and preferably as two words/ˈhwɒtˈnɒt/: Anything whatever; everything; ‘anything and everything’; ‘all sorts of things’: mostly, now…

= what's-his-name, n., what's-its-name n. at what's-his-name, n. derivatives, etc. (used variously of a person or thing); a ‘thingummy’.

Navy slang. An object whose name one cannot recall or does not know; a ‘thingummy’, a ‘whatchamacallit’. Obsolete.

Nautical and Navy slang. A thing whose name the speaker or writer does not know, cannot remember, or does not care to specify precisely; a…

Originally U.S. More vaguely: a thing, esp. a gadget or contraption, whose name the speaker or writer does not know, cannot remember, or does not…

Any small object, esp. mechanical; a ‘thingummy’ (see also quot. 1928).

A thing whose name one cannot remember, does not know, or does not wish to mention; (by extension) a useful implement, a gadget. Also: (Military slang…

= oojah, n.

= oojah, n.

A ‘fancy’ article (of dress), a ‘thingummy’; esp. a trivial or superfluous ornament.

A meaningless word substituted for the name of a person or thing which the speaker has forgotten, does not know, or is unwilling to mention. Cf. thi…

‘What's-his-name’, ‘so-and-so’. Often following a title, as Mr. Whosis.

colloquial. = thingummy, n. Frequently with modifying word.

= doodad, n.

= thingummy, n. (see also quots.).

An informal session or concert of folk music and singing. Also transferred.

= what-d'ye-call-'em, n.

A gadget, gimmick, ‘thingumajig’ (see quots.).

Esp. in imitations of jargon or technical vocabulary: a thing which the speaker cannot or does not name, a thingy. Cf. gizmo, n., thingummy, n.

= whosis, n.

(See quot. 1961.)

= oojah, n.

U.S. variant what's-his-name, n.

A thing or (less commonly) person of which the speaker or writer cannot at the moment recall the name, or which he or she is unable to or does not…

occasionally U.S. variant what's-his-name, n. Cf. whatsisface, n.