doohickey
/ˈduːhɪki
/noun (plural doohickeys) North American informal
A small object or gadget, especially one whose precise name the speaker cannot recall: a garage filled with electronic parts and other valuable doohickeys...
- Clothing, toiletries and miscellaneous technological doohickeys probably called things like ‘datalink’, ‘commpad’ and ‘holocred’ were strewn across the floor in the way of messy rooms everywhere.
- You'll find no winged doohickeys or portable thingamajigs here.
- It's not unusual for a single dish to come presented in four, five, even seven separate little trays, boxes, tureens, cups, or assorted doohickeys.
Origin
Early 20th century (originally servicemen's slang): blend of doodad and hickey.