thingy
n.a word you use when you cannot remember the name of an object. It is a handy way to keep talking even if you forget a specific noun.
n.a placeholder name used to refer to an object whose specific name is forgotten or unknown. Typically used in spoken English to maintain conversational flow.
“Can you pass me that blue thingy on the table?”
“I need to find the little metal thingy that holds the battery in place before I can fix the remote.”
“While technical manuals require precise terminology, casual speech often relies on vague placeholders like thingy to bridge gaps in memory without disrupting the rhythm of the interaction.”
Often used with 'that' or 'this' to point toward the object being discussed.
From thing + -y (diminutive suffix).
From thing + -y (adjectival suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.