thingamajig
der Dingsbums
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thingamajig
A colloquial term for a person or thing whose name you cannot remember at the moment or that you do not want to name more precisely.
Wie heißt noch mal das Dingsbums, mit dem man die Flaschen öffnet?
What do you call that thingamajig you use to open bottles?
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Dingsbums |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Dingsbums | – |
| accusative | den Dingsbums | – |
| dative | dem Dingsbums | – |
| genitive | des Dingsbums | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
'Dingsbums' is clearly part of casual spoken language. It usually sounds inappropriate in official or factual texts.
Gib mir bitte mal das Dingsbums da neben dem Drucker.
Could you pass me that thingamajig next to the printer?
'Dingsbums' often appears with a demonstrative word or a reference to a location, such as 'dieses' (this), 'so ein' (one of those), or 'da' (there). This indicates the object or person that is not being named more precisely.
Mit diesem Dingsbums da kann man die Schraube lösen.
You can use this thingamajig here to loosen the screw.
A relative clause can follow 'Dingsbums' to explain which person or thing is meant. This is especially helpful when the name is missing but its function is known.
Wo ist das Dingsbums, das gestern auf dem Küchentisch lag?
Where is the thingamajig that was on the kitchen table yesterday?
