Top 10 names for nameless things

Words for thingamajigs whose names have been forgotten

What are these? Choose from the list below (Getty/iStock)

Thanks to Adam Sharp, who started this list on Twitter. There are hundreds of them from around the world.

1. Thingamajig (English). Or thingy, thingummy and thingamabob. Thingamabob was first recorded in 1720, said Tony Thorne. Thingamajig didn’t appear in print until 1842.

2. Huppeldepup (Dutch). So much better than the more usual Dutch dinges.

3. Zinzin (French). Again, better than the more common truc, or trucmuche.

4. Naninani (Japanese). Meaning “whatwhat”.

5. Chingadera (Mexican Spanish).

6. Himstregims (Danish).

7. Zamazingo (Turkish).

8. Dingsbums (German).

9. Shismoo (Arabic). Means “whatsitsname”, said Rizzle.

10. Chizeh (Farsi). Someone called Sharknoises complained that their whole life was a lie when they found out that this was not the actual Farsi for “remote control”.

They all sound as if they are available at Ikea, said Musca Vetustissima; or as if they are lesser known Hogwarts houses, said Peter Cohen.

It would be easy to compile a top 10 of English words alone, especially with other English-speaking countries’ variations.

In addition to thingamajig and variations, there are: oojamaflip, or hoojamaflip in Scotland; hoojamawatsit, a Scottish alternative; gizmo; whatnot; whatchamacallit; yoke, yokeabob, or yokeamabob in Ireland – “usually found at the back of the press (cupboard)”, said Nick McGowan, and originally from a yoke used for ploughing, said Pádraig Belton; doodad, mostly American, or doohickey; and doovalacky, which is Australian, according to Lara M Arts. As James Strachan said, the worst of the lot, which should never be used when there are so many wonderful alternatives, is doobry.

Next week: Spelling-test songs, such as “D.I.V.O.R.C.E.” by Tammy Wynette, “D.I.S.C.O.” by Ottowan and “R.E.V.I.V.A.L.”, part of the lyrics of “Revival”, by Eurythmics.

Coming soon: Footballers who played better for England than for their own club – I have subcontracted the compilation of this one.

Your suggestions please, and ideas for future Top 10s, to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk