Skip to main content
whatchamacallum

whatchamacallum

9.9
A word for something whose name you cannot remember
  • noun
  • /ˌwɑːtʃəˈmɑːˌkɑːləm/
  • UK
translation icon : cosa
  • I need the whatchamacallum to fix my phone, but I can’t remember its real name.

Examples

  • Can you hand me that whatchamacallum over there?

  • She was looking for a whatchamacallum to open the can.

  • Can you pass me that whatchamacallum on the shelf?

  • I can't remember the name of that whatchamacallum.

  • I need that whatchamacallum to fix my bike, but I can’t remember what it's called.

  • Can you give me the whatchamacallum that helps me peel the potatoes?

  • She asked her friend to grab the whatchamacallum from the drawer when they started cooking.

Synonyms

something
vswhatchamacallum
1.0

An unknown object or idea that is not named

is narrower, focusing on physical objects rather than abstract ideas
thingy
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
75 8.4

An informal word for an object when you forget its name

is a neutral label mainly for objects whose names are forgotten
widget
vswhatchamacallum
59 5.1

A small useful thing or tool for a particular job

is the simple neutral word for unnamed objects, not only examples
gizmo
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
56 7.1

A small device or tool whose name you do not know

is broader and applies to any unnamed object, not only devices
doohickey
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
11 9.9

A small object whose name you do not know

is more general and not limited to small tools or gadgets
doodad
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
7 8.7

A small thing or device whose name you do not know

is broader, covering any object not just small gadgets
whatchamacallit
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
7 9.9

A word for an object whose name you do not know

is the same but spelled differently from this form
thingie
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
6 9.2

A simple word for an object you cannot remember the name of

is the general term without informal tone
gimmick
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
6 5.6

A small object whose name you cannot remember

is the neutral general term not highlighting gadget quality
thingamajig
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
5 9.9

A word people use for a person or object when they forget its name

focuses on any unnamed object rather than including people
thingamabob
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
5 9.6

A thing whose name you do not know or remember

is the general neutral label rather than a playful variant
whatsis
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
1 9.9

A thing whose name you cannot remember

is the neutral label for such unnamed objects without flair
whosis
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
1 9.9

A casual word for a person or thing whose name you do not know

is used mainly for objects rather than for people
hootenanny
vswhatchamacallum
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A small tool or object you forget the name of

is the standard neutral term rather than slang
thingumajig
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
9.9

A small object whose name you do not know

is the general neutral label used more widely
thingumabob
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
9.9

An object whose name you don't know or have forgotten

is a straightforward neutral way to refer to unnamed objects
thingmajig
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
9.9

An object whose name you do not know or have forgotten

is the general neutral term not stressing size or function
thinginess
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
9.9

A word used for an object when you forget its name

is the neutral ordinary word used without playful tone
thingummy
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
9.9

A word for a person or thing whose name you cannot remember

is aimed only at objects, not typically at people
dojigger
vswhatchamacallum
  • Informal
9.9

A small object used when you do not know its name

is the general neutral label without implying gadgetry
gismo
vswhatchamacallum
  • UK
8.5

A small device you do not know the name of

is broader and used for unnamed objects beyond devices
innominate
vswhatchamacallum
  • Archaic
9.9

A person or thing with no name

is informal modern speech for unnamed objects rather than formal usage
gubbins
vswhatchamacallum
  • UK
9.9

Small things you do not know the name of or need

is the single object label rather than a term for groups or miscellany

Surface Forms

Etymology

Whatchamacallum comes from the everyday question 'what's that called?' and the playful ending -um, like in whatchamacallit or thingamajig, so it is used when you cannot remember the real name of a thing.