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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Use informal placeholder nouns when you cannot remember the name of an object.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThe story looks at playful nouns people reach for when an object’s real name is unknown or temporarily forgotten. These words can keep an informal conversation moving, but they cannot replace a precise name in instructions, repairs, or other situations where accuracy matters.
Cultural note: These placeholders are casual and vary by speaker and region. If someone does not understand which object you mean, describe its shape, location, or purpose—or find its correct name.
Keep exploringWhen the word disappears from memory, English offers several comic-sounding stand-ins.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Choose a casual placeholder and point out or describe the object.
Meaning
An informal word for a small object or device whose name you do not know or cannot recall.
Tone & use
Casual and often humorous. Pair it with a gesture or description so the listener can identify the item.
Example
“Could you pass me that little doohickey beside the phone? I need it to open the SIM tray.”
Meaning
A casual placeholder name for an object when its real name is missing from memory.
Tone & use
Very informal and playful. It is similar to “doohickey”; the exact choice is often personal rather than technical.
Example
“The thingamajig that holds the curtain rod has come loose, so I’ll look up the proper part name.”
Meaning
A humorous placeholder for a thing whose name the speaker cannot remember.
Tone & use
Very conversational. The listener may need extra context because the word identifies no specific object by itself.
Example
“Can you hand me the whatchamacallit—the flat metal tool next to the toolbox?”
Switch from a placeholder to a clear description or the exact term.
Meaning
The precise word used to identify a particular object, part, or tool.
Tone & use
Prefer the exact name in safety directions, shopping requests, technical support, or written instructions.
Example
“Before ordering a replacement, I checked the manual for the exact name of the connector.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
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